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Commissioners hire interim county administrator amid debate over hourly pay and timeline
Summary
The board approved an interim administrator contract starting May 7; commissioners debated hourly vs. salary pay, expected hours, total cost and the need to begin a full-time hiring process while the interim serves.
Gratiot County commissioners approved hiring an interim county administrator under a short-term hourly contract and set a start date for the appointee, drawing objections from some members over hourly pay and projected cost.
Commissioners moved to hire the proposed candidate and sign the interim contract with a start date of May 7. Commissioner Tim moved the hiring; Commissioner George seconded. The roll call recorded multiple yes votes and one recorded no; the motion carried.
Board discussion focused on contract structure and cost. One commissioner said hourly pay reflects variable weekly hours and that some weeks the interim may work fewer than 40 hours; other commissioners challenged that approach and calculated that a 30-hour workweek over six months could cost about $136,464, and a full year could approach $178,284 if extended. The candidate, the board said, is retired and will not receive standard benefits; the contract includes mileage reimbursement and state-mandated leave accruals.
Commissioners agreed the interim is intended to start quick work on priority tasks, including beginning the recruitment process for a permanent administrator — a process the board estimated could take about four months to complete. Board members who voted no said they preferred a different compensation structure or a lower-cost option.
The motion authorized county staff to finalize onboarding paperwork; the interim administrator was expected to begin the next morning. The board asked staff to begin the full-time recruitment process promptly so a permanent replacement would be in place before the interim’s departure, as the chosen interim had indicated he would not become the permanent administrator after Oct. 1.
Action details: Motion to hire interim administrator approved; start date May 7; contract terms hourly with mileage and limited leave.
