Humboldt County Commissioners all said they hope to choose a county administrator at the end of the special meeting they've set for Dec. 2. Each said they believe the opportunity to spend some more time with their top three choices will result in a clear choice, but if not, they said also all said they are prepared to ask Nevada POOL/PACT to start the entire process over again with a new request for applications.
"I don't want to do that," said Commissioner Garley Amos. "I'd like to see us decide."
"I think a majority of the commissioners will be able to settle on one candidate," said Commissioner Marlene Brissenden.
Commission Chairman Dan Cassinelli pointed out during their first discussion and failure to make a choice two weeks ago, that one of the top three candidates, Dave Mendiola, did not meet some of the major qualifications the commissioners had developed in the request for applications that was advertised state-wide.
Mendiola was up-front about his lack of prior experience in public sector administration including policy development, intergovernmental relations, governmental budgeting and accounting, as well as his lack of any prior experience dealing with land and water issues.
Cassinelli said perhaps there were people who had not applied for the position because they lacked that experience, believing that the experience requirement was hard and fast. Although he said he liked Mendiola very much, he wondered how the commissioners could choose an applicant without that experience after setting that as a requirement. Commissioner Mike Bell agreed.
Commissioners Jim French and Marlene Brissenden felt that Mendiola's private sector experience was sufficient.
Local applicant Brenda Willey, who has worked for the county for nearly two decades, was one of the top three applicants due to her experience with many of the day to day issues handled through the administrator's office. The commissioners mentioned their positive experiences working with Willey and agreed that her interview was stellar. Her lack of managerial experience and wider governmental relations experience was a stumbling block for some.
Applicant Kevin Kirkeby had a strong resume and good references, but all of the commissioners agreed that he did not do well in the interview. Several mentioned the fact that Kirkeby did not meet their eyes during the interview process and addressed his answers to POOL/PACT representative Jeannie Green, rather than to the commissioners. Green was asking the interview questions, but mentioned to Kirkeby that he needed to give his answers to the commissioners rather than to her.
Kirkeby's lack of administrative experience was also discussed, although some commissioners felt he had gained much first-hand administrative experience as a former county commissioner, in a county where the commissioners had a very hands-on role as there was no county administrator.
The special additional interview meeting Tuesday with the three remaining candidates will give each applicant opportunities to respond to how they would handle specific scenarios likely to be faced by a county administrator. They will also be asked to make a presentation to the commissioners on a subject they'll be given.
The applicants have been asked not to be present during the time another applicant is being interviewed, but the public is welcome to attend the interviews, which will be held starting at 10a.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the courthouse.[[In-content Ad]]
