Chris is publisher of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by calling (812) 847-4487

All elected officials should consider a county manager

Posted Friday, August 10, 2007, at 12:52 PM

Greene County Commissioners president Bart Beard stepped out on a limb earlier this week and suggested publicly that Greene County hire -- or at the very least consider -- a county manager.

It was a bold move he's been wanting to make for a while, and he decided now was the time to let the Greene County Council know about his views.

I commend Beard for his actions. Not everyone, though, agrees.

Greene County Commissioner Kathy Crouch believes she was caught off guard by Beard's announcement, and says the other two commissioners -- including herself and Larry Hasler -- should have discussed the issue before Beard went to the council.

Maybe, maybe not.

Beard is the president of the commissioners, and he's responsible for taking the lead in decisions. It's his job to shoulder the burden.

When someone wants to blame a county official for the problems with the courthouse, who usually gets the blame in public? Beard.

I believe it's important that the commissioners get together on the issue of a county manager and discuss -- in public -- whether or not this will work for Greene County.

Politics must be checked at the door. This issue is way too important.

How many companies do you know that allows its employees to order office supplies from 10 different businesses?

Does it make sense for county offices to order computers from five or six different companies?

Buying in bulk saves money, and companies are willing to cut customers a break if you buy in bulk.

I bet the bidding process would be much more competitive -- meaning better prices for the county -- if items were purchased from one company.

Doesn't it make sense to have a county manager do a lot of the research on issues and grant writing? Think about how much money could be saved in legal fees.

The list of potential savings is long.

There have been some negative comments on the Greene County Daily World's Web site concerning the idea of a county manager. There are some other areas that money should be spent, including raises for county employees.

But if you've kept a close eye on the county's budget hearings the past few years, you know there's not much money available for raises. If the county manager can find ways to save money, the potential is there for raises.

It's important for all Greene County officials to consider a county manager, and not dismiss it just because it's never been done.

It's every elected officials' job to spend taxpayers' money wisely, and considering a county manager is an important step in that process.

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RE: County exec: I agree with "The Raven". If this decision is thought out and set up properly, I believe the county would benefit greatly.

Grants, savings on supplies, co-ordination and eliminating duplication within the various offices as well as getting some continuation in our long term planning are just some of the benefits.

If it is just another "office" and salary for the county, then it won't do anyone any good. It can be, however, a true investment rather than an expense that will more than pay for itself.

Again, we have to ask ourselves, will Greene County be here in 20 years? Of course it will. And, what are we doing today in anticipation of what this county can and will be in the next 20, 30 or 50 years?

My prayer is that we don't turn this into yet another near-sighted political battle but that all involved look to the future and how best to prepare now in any way we can.

-- Posted by old linton native on Fri, Aug 10, 2007, at 2:21 PM
Is a county manager someone who manages a county, or a purchasing agent/computer specialist?

-- Posted by Paul on Fri, Aug 10, 2007, at 3:48 PM

Chris Pruett's response:
It's someone who manages the county AND a purchasing agent/computer specialist ... AND a lot more.

This idea was first tossed around about 10 years ago, but cut down because some county elected officials couldn't come together on the right person.

Let's hope that doesn't happen this time!
I wonder, since this came out of left field, is this just a way for Bart to take care of good ole boy and courthouse so called savior, Jim Cory? With the Courthouse project winding down (hopefully) itjust makes me wonder.

-- Posted by CranialMan on Sat, Aug 11, 2007, at 1:57 PM
This situation, and the comments about it, remind me of what's really wrong with government on the whole. I consider myself to be a truly bi-partisan person -- I vote for the person and their ideas and not the D or R on their blouse/shirt. What is so incredibly sad is that every time an idea is brought forth (by anyone), the first thing I read and hear is someone poo-pooing it due to political partisan reasons.

Can you, and by you I mean the Commissioners and whomever else in government, put your differences aside, PLEASE! If the idea of a County Manager is a good one, then does it really matter whose idea it is? The idea of whether the County Manager is a good idea or necessary is completely separate from who is hired for the position.

Can you at least all agree that it is a good idea? Clear messages are being sent from the voting public that hiring "buddies" is not the way to go and that the "good ol boy" system is outmoded and cause for being ridiculed by the press. Seems some assumptions are being made that may not be true.

Let's all set aside our differences (real or imagined) and work together to make Greene County prosperous. In the end, it won't matter WHO came up with the idea if it is a good one, but it will matter who poo-pooed a potentially good idea, because their name will be the only one remembered (and not for the right reasons).

-- Posted by Greenee on Sat, Aug 11, 2007, at 2:22 PM
If you look at other counties that have so called "managers" then you are looking at about a 100 grand a year. Nice job eh? We live in GreenE county, not Green county. But maybe we can hire someone that really knows what their doing for about 40 grand (yeah, right). Will this manager be able to save his/her wage through purchasing alone, or is it another cash cow job like the "county project engineer", (by trade). It's not that Prez Bart came up with the idea, had it drafted, then bypassed the system, oops, didn't mean to step on any toes, that makes me suspect. It's more that this county government has poured millions into projects, and jobs that are not warranted. Unfortunately, I can't say that I see the train slowing down any, and the taxpayer is tied to the tracks up ahead with out a chance.

-- Posted by hilljak on Sat, Aug 11, 2007, at 9:39 PM
The purchasing part of this whole idea seems like common sense. Why haven't the commissioners appointed an office to be in charge of ordering the supplies. This duty could be a revolving duty i.e. the Clerk's duty this year and the Recorder's duty next year. We should not have to pay anyone to do it.

I am not saying it is a bad idea. I am just saying let's use some common sense. I do not want to pay an additional salary of $40,000 - $100,000 to be a purchaser. When we budget the money for that salary, don't forget to budget for his assistant or secretary.

I know of many teachers that are responsible for writing grants as well as teaching their classes. Perhaps we should elect people that are responsible enough to write their own grants.

Will this just be another layer of management to cause more hassle? Will we still have the County Council & the Commissioners. Sometimes there can be so many lines of management that the work does not get done - just more controversy.

-- Posted by concerned Bloomfield citizen on Mon, Aug 13, 2007, at 7:26 AM

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