County administrator gets mostly high evaluation marks

In 2008, County Commissioner David Russell voted against hiring County Administrator David Hamilton.

What a difference two years makes. On his two-year evaluation, Russell gave his administrator the highest marks of any of the five board members.

"I love it when people prove me wrong like that," Russell joked. Russell gave Hamilton a 4.33 overall score, with 0 being the lowest and 5 the highest.

"He deserves it," Russell said. "David's taken a lot of heat and he's risen to the occasion far beyond my expectations. I think he's doing a great job."

His fellow board members pretty much agree, with four of them saying he either meets or exceeds expectations.

Overall, Hamilton received an average score of 3.68, down from almost 4 last year.

Commissioner Jeff Stabins scored Hamilton the lowest at 3.07. The commissioner said Hamilton needs improvement in conflict resolution, communicating with the board and accepting direction.

While Hamilton does a fine job of executing public policy once the board formally votes on a matter, "his critical misjudgment has been acting unilaterally on a series of administrative decisions without first hashing them over with individual board members," he wrote.

Stabins recently criticized Hamilton for espousing the idea of a gas tax hike without first approaching the board.

Stabins said Hamilton also needs to do a better job of inspiring "the hundreds of people who do the hard work of local government, day in and day out."

"Currently, there exists in the workforce more perspiration than inspiration, more fear than good will, and the result is an unhealthy workplace," Stabins wrote.

Still, Stabins praised Hamilton for having "guts, brains and an even temperament."

"(He) is clinically cool and almost robotic in his handling of what would be tremendously stressful decisions and moments for most people," he wrote. "He fires people the way the military's Predator Drone fires missiles."

When he was hired, Hamilton said he was committed to staying on the job for five years. County commissioners were glad to hear it, since their last two administrators stayed less than 24 months.

Russell at the time jokingly said he would "hold (his) feet to the fire" on that commitment.

"I hope he stays longer than that," Russell said Thursday.

Here is a sampling of other commissioners' comments and their overall score:

• Commission Chairman John Druzbick (3.40): Said Hamilton responds positively to a changing world and changing local conditions; does not cling to the status quo for its own sake. His advice to Hamilton: Continue to have open communication with all government employees.

• Commissioner Jim Adkins (3.67): "Hamilton has proven that he has management skills and the ability to handle numerous problems, including the DPW site, the dredge project, all the while continuing to downsize government." He urges him to continue downsizing "bloated government, continue audits of government departments" and make government more transparent.

• Commissioner Rose Rocco: (3.93): Gave Hamilton the highest mark possible for his ability to resolve conflicts and believes he is a good negotiator.

Like Russell, Rocco voted against hiring Hamilton in 2008.

"Overall, I'm very pleased and satisfied to have received the confidence of the county board and to have made it to the important two-year point," Hamilton said.

"In the second year, I always acknowledged that expectations are higher and therefore, evaluations are tougher. That is to be expected."

Hamilton said he met with Stabins, addressed many of his concerns and intends to follow his recommendations, especially the communication concerns.