Schoharie County Supervisors Friday agreed to a study that may lead to hiring an executive or administrator to run the day-to-day affairs of the county.
After much discussion Friday morning, supervisors agreed to have a representative of the state Association of Counties speak to them about the pros and cons of different forms of county government as well as give an opinion on where Schoharie County stands in relation to the other counties in the state.
Supervisors also agreed to have representatives of other similar-sized counties speak to the board about their experiences with a county executive or administrator.
After describing some of the work of the board as dysfunctional, Phil Skowfoe of Fulton made a motion that the county look into having a manager or administrator.
He said he wanted to bring people in to talk to the board and supervisors would “listen and research.”
Several supervisors agreed to look into the issue, others spoke against changing the county government structure and some objected to the use of the word “dysfunctional” by Mr. Skowfoe.
Dan Singletary of Jefferson said the county board was not dysfunctional and that the best form of government was that which is closest to the people.
Adding an administrator or executive would just add another layer of government which he opposes.
County officials should compare how the county is doing compared to others in the state, he said.
Middleburgh’s Dennis Richards said he had no problem with Mr. Skowfoe’s motion and is willing to study the issue but also objected to “dysfunctional.”
Board members, he said, have shared information and have no personal agenda.
Carl Barbic of Seward said the county should look at other alternatives.
“None of us are experts in everything in county government,” he said.
Supervisors, Mr. Barbic said, are now administrators instead of policy-makers.
County attorney Michael West said the county studied adding a county administrator or executive in 1994 and agreed to leave things as they were.
Though it is good to look, supervisors will probably come to the same conclusion this time, Mr. West said
“When the day is done you will find this is the best form,” he said, noting that Schoharie County is the only debt-free county in the state.
“I’d be very cautious of those who want to gut what you’ve worked hard for for years,” he added.
Mr. Skowfoe said times and people have changed since 1994.
He added that the salary for a county administrator or executive could be funded by cutting supervisors’ salaries.
Board Chairman Earl VanWormer said the intent of the study is to see how the county is doing compared to other counties, “how we stack up against other counties.”
“Can we improve? that’s what we’re going to look at,” Mr. VanWormer said.
Wayne Stinson, who has been promoting adding an executive or administrator for the county as a member of Schoharie Citizens for Professional Governance, said Friday he was pleased the county board will study the issue.
“That’s exactly what we proposed,” he said.
“I hope they are enlightened…It seems to work in other places.”
Seven of the 62 counties in the state do not have an administrator or executive, he said. About 20 percent have executives and the rest have managers or administrators.
There is a difference between having an executive and administrator, he said.
An executive would be an elected official and adding one would require a change of the county charter, Mr. Stinson said.
Adding an administrator or manager would require a local law.
The citizens’ group does not advocate having an executive because there is no way to set requirements for that position, Mr. Stinson said.
A county manager or administrator would be hired by the county board, the person would answer to the board and supervisors can define the duties of the position, he said.
A manager or administrator could serve at the pleasure of the board with no set term, he said.