craigdailypress.com

A final report of a performance audit of Moffat County's financial management capability urges commissioners, among other things, to hire a county administrator.

The report makes 32 recommendations, all aimed at administrative improvements for better financial management. Many of the suggestions center on reducing the workload of commissioners so that they're not spread so thin and delegating more responsibility to staff and boards.

Commissioners didn't exactly embrace the idea of a county administrator. Only Commis-sioner Marianna Raftopoulos voiced support for it, although Commissioner Les Hampton said the report's findings should not go unheeded.

"Many of the financial problems that the county has been experiencing could probably have been avoided, or at least managed more effectively, with the oversight of senior managers," the report states. It was compiled by Policy Research Associates of Parker, and Geoff Withers delivered the findings to the commissioners last week.

"While these recommendations will cost the county money, the Board of Commissioners can

ill afford to continue with the present management philosophy. More problems will result, perhaps some more serous than those recently experienced," the report states.

The bottom line is money. Commissioners are likely reluctant to try to enlist support for the idea of hiring an administrator because Moffat County residents have responded with some anger over the reduction of services in response to a fiscal crisis.

Although the county's financial picture appears to be improving, commissioners may find it difficult to justify the salary of a $70,000 position, even if it makes county government more efficient.

The report makes note of this: "When budget problems need to be solved, this is precisely the time when such positions (county administrator, public works director, human resources director) are absolutely necessary."

It seems to defy wisdom to throw money at a problem when money is the problem. But that's what the experts recommend.

Some people may like things just the way they are. After all, the commissioners are paid in excess of $40,000 a year. Why add another layer of bureaucracy, when just about anybody can drop in on their county commissioner and discuss problems? Currently, commissioners are too close to too many issues, and in some cases, the report suggests, they can't see the forest for the trees.

"Three elected commissioners alone simply cannot deal successfully with the many county program details, while maintaining the broad view necessary to prioritize their needs and scan the external environment for changes that are needed within."

While the recommendation is clear, commissioners must also understand that hiring a county administrator won't solve anything unless they can learn to defer to staff recommendations. They're already accused of "micro-managing," and the purpose of an administrator is to let them get away from oversight of so many employees and focus on a direction and vision for the county.

That means learning to trust employees and fully embracing a team concept for county government. Whether an administrator is the key to the county financial health is secondary to whether the commissioners can create a more unified and responsive team.