Kalkaska County interviews three candidates and schedules July 7 special meeting to pick interim administrator

The Kalkaska County Board of Commissioners interviewed three candidates for the Interim County Administrator/CFO vacancy during a special meeting on June 26, then voted to schedule a follow-up meeting on July 7 to make a final determination.

Chair Kohn Fisher opened the interviews. Candidate Jeffrey D. Thornton discussed his education and experience in management, budgeting and community engagement. Patrick Whiteford described his knowledge of county budgets and local entities and said he had no legal conflict that would bar him from serving. Gayenell Gentelia (by Zoom) described years of board and committee involvement and estimated a 4–8 week transition time depending on overlap with her current duties.

After interviews concluded at 10:23 p.m., the board discussed the need for full participation before making a final appointment and voted to set a special meeting on July 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Jeff Sieting made the motion, supported by Commissioner Robert Baldwin; the motion carried 5 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent. Commissioners asked that the interim appointment participate in further wage negotiations and that added questions be forwarded to candidate Jeffrey D. Thornton; the application materials will also be forwarded to absent Commissioner Truman Bicum for review.