The civil grand jury questioned
the county's practice of hiring interim department heads and whether it ends up
costing taxpayers more than hiring permanent officials.
The recently released San
Benito County Grand Jury report culminated the past year’s work of 19
volunteers who investigated taxpayer-funded agencies, either upon request or on
their own volition. Those government entities are required to respond in some
manner to the report’s allegations within 90 days.
One of the investigations
included in the report contended that interim directors make up 30 percent of
the county department directors. Two of them work full time and one works part
time, but the cost to the county is 12 percent higher for interim directors
than for a regular, permanent employee.
The grand jury recommended that
the board of supervisors needs to develop an organizational plan that addresses
leadership succession and development of talent within county government.
Currently on the county's
website, two department heads listed as interim leaders include Byron Turner in
planning and Joseph Horwedel in public works. Additionally, Mary Gilbert is
interim executive director of the Council of San Benito County Governments
transit agency.
June
23, 2015
Hollister
Free Lance
Posted
by Kollin Kosmicki
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