Within a month, Clark County could have an interim manager until a permanent replacement is found for Mark McCauley, who was unexpectedly ousted as the county’s top executive in May.
The question is, what does the county council want its interim manager to do?
That’s something councilors were asked to consider at their Wednesday board time meeting when they heard from Greg Prothman, president of the Prothman Co., a firm based in Issaquah hired to find the county an interim manager.
Prothman said that his firm, which specializes in consulting and recruiting for local governments, has placed about 400 senior executives, primarily in the western U.S.
He told the county council that an interim manager could start at the county in about a month and would likely serve between four to six months before a permanent replacement is appointed. During that time, he said, the interim manager will follow a work plan crafted by the council.
Prothman said that the interim manager could be in a position to accomplish some needed “heavy lifting” by making some unpopular or difficult decisions.
“And then (the interim manager) who leaves will take much of that baggage with them,” he said. “Or, on the other side of the coin, it can be a caretaker role. It really depends on your expectations.”
While he recommended that the council conduct a national search for a permanent replacement, Prothman said the interim manager should be someone with a knowledge of state law. He said there is a limited pool of people qualified for the position.
“You need someone that understands organizational momentum and how to make changes and how to do things sort of institutionally,” Prothman said. “So that’s the criteria I’m going to be looking for.”
During the meeting, members of the council listed qualities they’d like to see in the interim manager. Council Chair Marc Boldt and Councilor John Blom said they wanted someone who could improve the permitting process. Councilors Jeanne Stewart and Julie Olson added that they wanted someone who could provide a fresh, outside perspective on the county’s operations.
“I think an interim person can’t possibly be doing all this stuff,” Councilor Eileen Quiring said. “And if they did, we wouldn’t want to lose them.”
In the meantime, Deputy County Manager Bob Stevens is filling in as county manager. Stevens has deliberately avoided taking over the role in an acting or interim capacity.
Prothman said that the interim manager will be an employee of Prothman Company who will be contracted to work for the county. Speaking after the meeting, he said that his company will sign a contract with the county after he’s found a candidate for the position.
