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News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Interim County Administrator June Fisher will stay in the seat until the budget process is over, county commissioners decided Tuesday.

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published: Friday, July 20, 2012

Commissioners: budget first, then administrator search

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING - County commissioners decided Tuesday to wait until they are done with the budget to seek another county administrator.

The board terminated its relationship with former administrator Ricky Helms two weeks ago and appointed Assistant County Administrator June Fisher to fill the role until a replacement could be found.

Fisher offered options to the board on Tuesday about when and how to seek another county administrator along with a budget and options for advertising.

Fisher asked if she should start the advertisements now, after the budget is finalized in September or after the elections in November.

The commission expressed its happiness with Fisher during the meeting, and reached a consensus that she should remain in the spot until September.

"I would be of the opinion to either start the process after the budget ... or even at the start of the fiscal year, Oct. 1," Commissioner Don Elwell said. "We need to get our house in order of addressing the (hiring) process and have a vision of what we need to see out of our next administrator."

"I also agree with that timeline. I think we should wait," Commissioner Greg Harris said.

"I think we are in pretty good hands with June. We need to get through the budget, so I concur with that timeline," Commissioner Ron Handley said.

Commissioner Barbara Stewart agreed.

"I've been extremely impressed with what has happened over the last couple of weeks," Stewart said.

Stewart wanted to emphasis that Fisher had the support of the board, but wanted to quash any discussion or questions about Fisher's authority.

Stewart stressed that Fisher had the "authority and responsibility to handle the day-to-day things."

"She is in charge and we have confidence in her," Stewart stressed.

Board Chair Jack Richie wanted to make sure the hiring process for a new administrator did not go past the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, but did support Fisher in the short term.

"June has my complete endorsement," Richie said.

"I don't put the budget as a reason to wait. Staff is doing a marvelous job, and I know this organization and directors will give Miss Fisher all the help and respect she deserves right now," Richie said.

"But if you reach a consensus to wait until Oct. 1 for the search, that is fine with me."

"No later than Oct. 1 though," Richie said.