PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County is back at the starting line in its search for a director for the Department of Community Development because the leading candidate has withdrawn his application.
The position opened up in September with the retirement of Carl Smith.
At that time, the county commissioners named former County Administrator David Goldsmith as an interim director until a permanent replacement could be found.
The county decided to manage the search on its own and received 15 applications, according to County Administrator Philip Morley.
Four candidates were interviewed and one was invited to visit Port Townsend on Dec. 11 for a more extensive discussion.
The candidate, traveling with his family from Corvallis, Ore., was stuck in traffic after Interstate 5 was closed Dec. 10 due to storms, Morley said. During that time, he made a decision to withdraw his candidacy.
After this occurred, Morley declined to contact the other finalists “because we didn’t feel we had an appropriate candidate.”
Morley then decided to recruit a search firm, which he did not do initially due to the increased cost.
“If we can do it ourselves, it is much cheaper,” he said.
“But it is now necessary to widen the search.”
The county is in the process of hiring a search firm, Morley said.
There is no cost estimate at this time, and the process is expected to take two to three months, he said.
Goldsmith, who is being paid $9,600 monthly for a minimum of 16 days per month, is willing to stay on until a replacement is found, Morley said.
“He’s not going to leave us in the lurch,” he said.
According to the job notice, the position pays between $70,831 and $95,151.
The next DCD director will focus on the upcoming comprehensive plan revision due next year, Morley said, as well as on promoting economic development and supervising the growth of areas such as Port Hadlock and Glen Cove.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
