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County council picks Shawn Henessee for manager

Decision comes a day after forum with finalists

By Jake Thomas, Columbian political reporter
Published: May 31, 2018, 12:08pm

The Clark County Council has picked Shawn Henessee to be the next county manager.

According to a county news release, on Thursday the council unanimously approved a motion authorizing council Chair Marc Boldt and Interim County Manager Jim Rumpeltes to develop a contract with Henessee.

The council’s decision came just a day after holding a forum where the three finalists for the position answered questions from county staff and the public. During the forum, Henessee touted his work as assistant director for Jackson County, a large county in Missouri that includes much of Kansas City. Additionally, he highlighted his service as county administrator for Marinette County, Wis., where he said he helped solve a structural deficit regarding how the county funded roads. A lawyer admitted to the Washington bar, Henessee also mentioned his work at a law firm where he focused on land-use and growth management.

Boldt said that the council interviewed the candidates Wednesday afternoon and then met in executive session, a special meeting closed to the public, for nearly two hours. He said the council talked again for an hour on Thursday before making its decision.

“He really made an impression on us how he gets out and listens to employees,” said Boldt.

Boldt also said that the council appreciated his approach to growth management and planning, as well as his willingness to get into the details of a budget.

Boldt said that Henessee’s contract is being negotiated with county Human Resources and he didn’t have details. The county’s previous manager, Mark McCauley, had an annual salary of $169,460 and a monthly car allowance of $400. Previously, Boldt had suggested the county would need to pay $200,000 or more to attract a qualified manager.

Boldt said it’s possible that the county and Henessee could reach an impasse over a contract but said he didn’t expect that to happen.

“I talked to him today and he seemed pretty pleased,” Boldt said Thursday.

Currently, Henessee serves as city administrator of Pleasant Hill, a small town in Missouri near Kansas City. Boldt said that Henessee needs to give his current employer notice and it could be a month or two months before he starts.

Clark County has been without a permanent manager since the council unexpectedly fired McCauley a year ago. Rumpeltes has filled in as interim county manager since July. Boldt said that Rumpeltes is still considering whether he will stay on until Henessee starts. If Rumpeltes refuses, Deputy County Manager Kathleen Otto will fill in.

Henessee beat out finalists Keith A. Regan, managing director of the County of Maui, Hi., and Rick Rudometkin, county manager of Eddy County, N.M., for the position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wichita State University, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a juris doctor from University of Missouri.

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Columbian political reporter