Hiring process
While the Pottawatomie County administrator is typically in charge of hiring department heads, Pottawatomie County commissioners say they want to sit in on job interviews for the new Public Works director.
One concern brought up during the commission meeting on Monday was that doing so could be interpreted as micromanagement.
Pat Weixelman, Pottawatomie County commissioner, says that unlike with previous hires, the commission should meet the top job candidates before a hire is made.
“I’m glad that we hired her, don’t get me wrong,” Weixelman said in reference a county department head that was recently hired. “But we were introduced to the new hire instead of the candidate that was available that was recommended to fill the position.”
Another concern brought up is that the commission will customize interview questions for each candidate even though, according to county staff, the same list of questions must be presented to each applicant.
Commissioner Greg Riat says he wants a fair and thorough hiring process.
“I don’t want my cousin to get on or my neighbor or something like that,” Riat said. “I want them to compete with whatever process that you could have. I’m sure it is fair and all the right questions are asked and everything, but when the final two candidates are sent to us, we have an opportunity to talk with them and and to learn a little bit about them and find out if they are a good fit for the county.”
Crystal Malchose, human resources director, will speak to the commission about the county’s hiring process during next week’s meeting.
Wamego intersection project
Pottawatomie County has committed $50,000 to an intersection improvement project at Hwy. 24 and Balderson Blvd. in Wamego.
The $50,000 will go toward design and inspection costs.
Stacie Eichem, Wamego city manager, says the Kansas Department of Transportation could cover construction costs for the project.
“KDOT is willing to give $466,000 toward the intersection, which will make a right-turn lane coming off of Highway 24 onto Balderson,” Eichem said.
According to Eichem, the design and inspection costs for the project add up to just over $130,000.
Pottawatomie County’s portion of the bill will be paid over 2021 and 2022.
The intersection project is part of a larger effort to optimize a local route for truck drivers.
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