Richland County names clerk as interim administrator and hires search firm for permanent replacement
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Summary
The county’s executive committee voted to forward a resolution to the full Richland County Board to appoint County Clerk Derek as interim county administrator and Josh Elder as deputy interim, and to contract Public Administration Associates to lead the recruitment for a permanent administrator.
The Richland County Executive & Finance Steering Committee voted Dec. 23 to forward a resolution to the full county board recommending the appointment of County Clerk Derek as interim county administrator and Josh Elder as deputy interim administrator, and to accept a proposal from Public Administration Associates, LLC to conduct a search for a permanent administrator.
The county contracted Public Administration Associates (PAA), the same search firm used in a prior Richland County search, to run recruitment, screening and interviews. The firm proposed tentative kickoff dates in early January, with the county staff estimating a likely full-time hire between mid/late April and early May. The proposal includes optional cost-saving virtual meeting choices and a recommended emotional-intelligence assessment for candidates. The document shows a discounted base price compared with a full-service engagement because PAA can reuse materials from the prior search.
Committee members discussed timing and logistics for the kickoff meeting and agreed to ask PAA to begin as soon as practicable. Candace, the county administrator who has tendered her resignation, told the committee she will be available to help with the transition: "I won't be offended if you decide to move on prior to my departure in any way, shape, or form. I completely understand." Members said they expect an interim to serve while the search proceeds.
After a closed-session discussion about the appointment, the committee voted to forward a resolution to the full county board recommending the interim appointments. Attorney Windle will draft memoranda of understanding setting the financial terms for both interim assignments. The committee scheduled a special full-board meeting for Jan. 7 to consider the appointments and the search firm contract.
The committee emphasized that interim duties will be performed on top of the appointees' current responsibilities; the final compensation terms will be included in the MOUs drafted by Windle. The committee also discussed staying flexible on kickoff dates if key staff are unavailable in early January.
Votes and next steps from the committee will be presented to the full Richland County Board at the special meeting on Jan. 7. If the board approves the interim appointments and the PAA contract, the search process would move into the recruitment and interview phases described in PAA's proposal.
Ending The committee moved the PAA proposal and the interim-appointment resolution to the full board, and set a special meeting for Jan. 7 to act on both items.
