Humboldt County Administrator Bill Deist formally announced the date of his departure from the county administrator's office. Deist will leave Jan 1, 2015.
"After over 36 years in this business and lengthy discussions with my family and others, I have made the decision that it's time to do something else," Deist said in his announcement. "There are many things I love about this county and the job. The 15 years I have been county administrator have been enjoyable for the most part."
Deist came to work for Humboldt County in August of 1999. He had previously been Carlin's city manager for 2.5 years, and before that was city manager of John Day, Ore., for 19 years.
"I was scheduled to interview for city manager job in another community in Oregon over the Fourth of July in 1999," Deist remembered. "I cancelled that interview because I was offered the job for Humboldt County in June."
Deist said he believes his 15 years as Humboldt County administrator is the longest length of service in Nevada for a county manager with the same county. "I think Rob Stokes in Elko County is the second longest at 13 years," he added.
That many years as a county administrator or city manager are very unusual.
"It's against the grain," said Deist, speaking of the length he and City Manager/Engineer Steve West have been employed by the county and city respectively. "People in our business do not usually stay as long as Steve or I have."
Deist said he thinks one person in the top administrative position for a city or county brings continuity.
Several months ago, Deist told the commissioners of his intention to retire from the position of county administrator within the next year to 14 months.
Commissioners determined at their last meeting that they would use the HR services offered by the state's insurance pool in their search for applicants to replace Deist.
Jeannie Green of the state pool and her staff will assist with determining which applicants fit the job requirements, doing reference checks and arranging for background checks. Commissioners will interview the top applicants, and they've discussed having a group - including county department heads, along with the district attorney and other elected and appointed county officials - weigh in on the hiring decision.
Green said the process would take three to four months, so Deist's announced time frame will give them plenty of time.
Until January, Deist plans to continue doing what he's done for the last 15 years.[[In-content Ad]]
