Four in running for county administrator

By Christina Scanlon

The pool of 45 candidates for Washington County administrator has been trimmed to four and county supervisors this week conducted more intensive interviews of those still in the running.

There’s no time table as to when a replacement for current county administrator Kevin Hayes will be selected. Hayes will retire in December after more than 30 years in the position.

“It’s an important decision for the county,” said Hampton supervisor Dave O’Brien, personnel committee chairman.
On Monday, O’Brien said the four candidates were entering the second round on an equal level.

“There are all equal until one pops up as the strongest candidate,” he said.

O’Brien said following the two days of planned interviews, it is possible the board could have a clear winner, need more interviews with all four candidates or have slimmed the pool down further.

Of the four, two candidates are women and two are men. Two reside in the county, while two are outside the county but within the state. The job, which has a budgeted base salary of $74,152, requires establishing county residency if hired.

The new administrator is expected to start the role in the fall, shadowing Hayes for about three months.