Pender County hires Developmental Associates for county-manager search; routine budget and IT items approved
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Summary
The board approved a contract with Developmental Associates LLC to lead the county-manager recruitment from a pool of 114 applicants, and approved routine end-of-year budget amendments and IT renewals that had been slated for consent; commissioners scheduled follow-up with the search firm.
Pender County commissioners on July 28 approved a contract with Developmental Associates LLC (Stephen Strauss) to assist in recruiting and screening applicants for the county manager position. County staff reported 114 applications were on file from the initial May posting and the consultant told the board he would reach out to those applicants to determine interest in formal consideration.
Commissioners said they favored an outside, professional search and assessment process. The board approved the purchase order/contract for Developmental Associates by voice vote; commissioners also agreed to carve out a short closed-session opportunity on the August 4 meeting to speak with the consultant about the board’s preferences and the recruitment process.
In routine business the board approved two end-of-year budget amendments (items 9.3 and 9.4), consolidating them for approval. County staff described those amendments as accounting treatments to pay collections to towns, EMS, fire and schools and to maintain trust-account payments for Department of Social Services rep-payee accounts. The board voted to approve the consolidated budget items unanimously.
The board also approved two IT renewals (items 9.5 and 9.6) for email protection and a cloud backup solution after staff said the procurement had competitive quotes and the recommended vendors were on national contract. Those renewals were combined on the consent-style vote and approved by the board.
No dissent was recorded on these consent and routine procurement items; commissioners asked that the search consultant speak with the full board (in closed session) after the August 4 meeting so the board could outline the county’s desired qualifications and process.
End note: The contract with Developmental Associates will proceed with outreach to the existing applicant pool and the board will consider next steps and candidate interviews after the consultant’s screening.
