Cass County interviews finalist for administrator; commissioners schedule May 22 special meeting to decide

Patrick Jordan, a finalist for Cass County administrator, answered questions from commissioners, elected officials and members of the public during a public interview on May 20, 2025. After the roughly two-hour session, commissioners voted to schedule a special meeting on May 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. to determine whether to hire him.

Jordan summarized his management background, saying he has experience in county and municipal government across several states and that he prefers county administration. He told the audience he has served as a township supervisor, managed departments in Tarrant County (Texas) and worked in county roles in Michigan and Alaska. “I’m ready. I’m just itching to get back to work,” he said. Jordan also said he intends to be in a community long-term if hired: “I want to be somewhere 10 years.”

The Nut Graf: The interview focused on Jordan’s experience with county budgeting, labor negotiations, interlocal cooperation and statutory compliance. Commissioners and attendees pressed him on how he would lead the county through budgeting and personnel issues, maintain transparency while following the Open Meetings Act and respond to FOIA requests. The board set a special meeting for May 22 to consider the hiring decision and to give commissioners time to review the interview and related materials.

Jordan answered detailed questions about financial and operational priorities. He told commissioners he had reviewed Cass County’s recent budget documents and described the county’s fiscal position as healthy while acknowledging a recent budget gap he described as “about $1.5 million.” He said the county’s fund balance was above recommended levels, initially describing a roughly 20% fund balance and then noting other calculations that placed it higher. On long-term financial planning he recommended basing budgets on state revenue projections and local tax-base growth and said he favors shared services where appropriate to reduce costs.

On labor relations and personnel, Jordan emphasized good-faith bargaining and respect for union processes. “If everyone’s equally unhappy, it’s a success,” he said in describing his approach to contract talks. He also said he typically adopts an “open door” management style and would rely on department heads as subject-matter experts.

Several elected officials and staff asked about specific duties and boundaries. Sarah Matthews, identifying herself as the friend of the court director and circuit probate/family court administrator for Cass County courts, asked how Jordan would handle the political aspects of the role; Jordan replied that while he does not run for office, he understands the political component and the co‑employer relationship between the county and elected officials. Hope Anderson, the county treasurer, asked how Jordan would bring stability after prior turnover; Jordan said he would prioritize fiscal discipline and relationship‑building and reiterated his intention to remain long term if hired.

Jordan said he is familiar with the Open Meetings Act and FOIA and described part of the administrator’s role as keeping the board and staff compliant: “Part of my job is keeping my board out of trouble,” he said. He also described technology and web services he has used for permitting, online payments and records requests and supported continued adoption of Office 365 tools to improve internal communication.

After roughly two hours of public and commissioner questions, a motion to schedule a special meeting for May 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. was made, seconded and passed. The commissioners directed staff to circulate interview materials and to set the special meeting agenda so commissioners could digest the record before voting. The board chair asked commissioners to submit written notes to staff member Monica for inclusion in the packet.

The meeting closed with no public comments during the final public‑comment period. The board will reconvene in the special meeting on May 22 to take next steps on the administrator appointment.