County expanding horizons with new county coordinator position    

[AUG. 23, 2004]  It's been a long time in the coming, but the day has finally arrived that the county has a full-time business administrator. Under the direction of Logan County Board Chairman Dale Voyles and the Executive Economic Development Committee, the board has hired Dewey R. Colter of Benton as the county's first coordinator.

The search began late last spring with a job description identifying the most significant county needs. On Friday, Aug. 20, the Logan County Board unanimously approved Colter. His starting salary is $65,000 per year with at-will renewal on a three-year contract. A yearly review may negotiate additional pay based on job performance and county financial condition.

The need for the addition of a full-time person at this time is multifaceted. Full-time administrators have been around a long time for larger municipalities. But increasing demands by state and federal government are burdening smaller municipalities and their elected officials. Bills are handed down in volumes without money or consideration for costs. Small towns and counties like Lincoln and Logan County are ill-equipped to handle mandates that come in the form of new rules, regulations and statutory changes, which are most often unfunded. There's a lot of, “OK, we passed this, now you implement it,” Colter said.

The mandates affect every aspect of government, from dogcatchers to health care regulations to roadwork.

For example, the Government Accounting Standards Board is now requiring counties to account for their assets such as roads, sidewalks bridges, buildings (like the courthouse), waterlines, sewers and so on. Imagine getting all that added up and starting a depreciation schedule, Colter said.

This is one of the seven starting projects the new coordinator will assist in initiating. Other projects include setting up a purchasing program, monitoring contracts and agreements. A complete bulleted list can be seen below.

The county board chairman and the Executive Economic Development Committee will continually determine top priorities for the coordinator. It's going to take a while to get it all going, it's breaking ground, Voyles said. He said that the work the coordinator does will take some of the mounting pressures off the future board chairman. Voyles and Dick Logan, past board chairman, have put in untold hours of additional work that no one else sees, and that has affected their personal and business lives. It was time to get someone to help with those duties.

While Colter does not officially begin until Sept. 1, he and Voyles have already mapped out a strategic plan for setting up the office. Additionally, Colter will be present for the finance committee's opening budget hearings, set for Aug. 30 and 31.

Currently the finance committee looks at the past six months and, based on the rest of the year, plans next year's budget. Other counties and governments with a full-time administrator prepare three-to five-year plans and then adjust accordingly. This is where Colter would like to lead Logan County. “This is new and challenging for rural communities because they have little control of revenue streams,” Colter said. For example the county lost revenue last year when the state took photo tax back.

After his office is set up, which will be in the former Sojourn office in the courthouse, across the hall from the county board's secretary, JoAnne Marlin, he will work on developing relationships -- first within the courthouse, the county departments, the system and then the county as a whole. It's going to be a crawl, walk, (trip), run, both Colter and Voyles said.

While his responsibilities will not be over any one department, the coordinator will act like a school superintendent and will help set policies and procedures. “Somebody will be in place to run the day-to-day business,” Voyles said, “to guide the county with continuity from one administration to the next.”

Voyles will be exiting the county board this next year and has been working to ease the transition of duties to the next chairman, whoever that might be. He sees the coordinator position as continuing to help in that matter in the future.

Colter's education, jobs, community involvement and board memberships reflect his extensive economic development interests and capabilities. In particular, his involvement with the Illinois Municipal League and Rural Partnership has provided him with a strong current knowledge of government issues. He also believes his military and farming background will aid him with contacts and knowledge of the work to be done here.

Colter said, “I've been blessed the last six years to work with a group of elected officials in Franklin County that were just unbelievable in support of what I was doing in economic development. I've learned a lot from what they are facing. I call it a master's degree in process and I love it.”

When asked if economic development would be the focus of his job here, Colter replied, “No.” The Economic Development Committee has a separate mission to accomplish. However, the coordinator position will interface with economic development. The job description lists a lot of requirements for interaction with the county and community economic development.

“My goal is to do the job I've been asked to do. Specific goals, strategies, benchmarks will come later,” Colter said. “I'm from the school [that] the government is to provide services to the public in the most cost-effective, efficient way that meets the needs. How that comes to be takes research and concurrence by those who are elected to represent the people.”

He believes we are living in a global society, and you have to look beyond your own back yard when making decisions.

Colter has four daughters and seven grandchildren spread out all over the United States. He has his own business-consulting firm, Colter and Associates, which he will continue to operate. He also holds licenses in Illinois real estate sales and as an Illinois insurance producer, and he's an active pilot.

Colter said that he has been looking at the county for a few years. He has been here to some of the festivals. It's a great community. “I saw a job here that I felt I could do well at,” he said.

“I'm looking forward to a good working relationship with all agencies,” he said.

The job description below best explains the work that the new coordinator will perform.

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[Dewey Colter bio]

Dewey Colter

Dewey Colter has been executive director of the Benton-West City Economic Development Corporation, a public-private corporation serving the community and economic development needs of the two southern Illinois communities of Benton and West City. He also operated Colter & Associates, a small business consulting firm in Benton.

His prior experience in community and economic development started during a term as mayor of Kewanee, a community of 13,000 in northwest Illinois. During his tenure he served on several boards and committees, including the Kewanee Economic Development Corporation., Bi-State Regional Plan Commission, Northwest Municipal League, Tri-County Municipal League, Illinois Municipal League Non-Home Rule Committee and Legislative Committee.

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He previously worked 22 years for Compaction America (formerly Hyster Company Construction Equipment Division) as manager of market forecasting and inventory control.

Colter is a certified management consultant and is a graduate of the Certified Economic Development course. He holds membership in the Illinois Development Council, American Economic Development Council and Rural Partners of Illinois, where he serves as secretary of the board of directors.

He served in the Illinois Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, holding various command and senior staff positions before retiring with 27 years of service.

A 1965 graduate of Lincoln-Way High School, New Lenox, he attended Southern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

County Coordinator Job Description
[From http://www.co.logan.il.us/board/employment.php]

Purpose:

The County Coordinator shall advise, assist and act as agent for and be responsible to the Logan County Board for the proper and efficient administration of such affairs of the County as are assigned to the position by the Board.

Summary:

The County Coordinator coordinates and administers the day-to-day County functions and activities which fall under the jurisdiction of the County Board. Plans, develops, presents and recommends policies and programs for the consideration by the Board. Coordinates County departments, offices, or agencies under the Board's jurisdiction or policy, and decisions between such departments, offices or agencies. Performs highly responsible administrative work in planning and directing the administrative affairs of the County and provides direct supervision of centralized administrative services. Cooperatively works and collaborates with all departments, offices and agencies not under the Board's jurisdiction or policy control to promote a high level of interdepartmental cooperation and consistency of administrative procedures and operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

They include the following: Other duties may be assigned.

Administers and causes to be carried out such ordinances, orders or regulations as may be directed by the Board by ordinance or resolution, and also acts as the County Zoning officer.

Administers policy approved by the Board and coordinates the day-to-day operations of the County government under the jurisdiction and policy control of the Board; assists County departments and agencies in providing cost efficient and effective delivery of services and performance of operations; receives informational reports from County departments upon request.

Provide liaison and continuing communication between the Board and County departments, offices and agencies not under the Board's jurisdiction or policy control.

Monitors and coordinates Board approved projects, programs and contracts. Assumes administrative responsibility in areas designated by the Board and when special projects dictate the need, keeps the Board apprized of progress on a periodic basis through written and oral reports. Provides semi annual and annual reports to the Board at its June and December meetings.

Attends and participates in Board and Board Committee meetings; responsible to assist in preparations of agendas and supporting materials; provides staff support and research; under Board direction, develops and recommends policies and procedures and presents the same for consideration.

Assists the Board and Board Committees in the development of long-range goals, plans and strategies including long-term revenue, expenditure plans, and capital improvement programs.

Aids in preparing and submitting to the Board an annual budget in accordance with state law and policy guidelines approved by the Board, reviews departmental and agency budget requests, including all funds, departments, and agencies which the Board is required to review and approve; monitors budget implementation and provides periodic reports to the Board.

Represents the Board as directed or requested by the Board.

Oversees the development and dissemination of public information and media releases as directed by the Board.

Responds to public inquiries, complaints, and concerns in a tactful, timely, professional and effective manner.

Shall be responsible for the monitoring of policies and guidelines as set forth by the Logan County Personnel Code. May, at the request of any department head, assist in aspects of personnel management, including employee benefits administration, labor relations, training and development.

Employs and supervises such clerical and administrative personnel as may be authorized by the Board.

Develops, recommends, and administers intergovernmental agreements between the County and other governmental units, coordinates County programs with those of other governmental units. The County Clerk's office will be responsible for billing all contract amounts for other municipalities at the direction of the County Coordinator..

Develops and supervises grant applications and awards, monitors expenditure of grants and required reporting. Responsible for monitoring opportunities for grants calling attention of grant opportunities and applying for appropriate grants.

Administers risk management and insurance programs as delegated by the Board.

Establishes and coordinates the County's purchasing procedures, reviews specifications for major purchases of services and equipment, and negotiates leases, contracts and other agreements.

Responsible for the care and custody of all County property under the jurisdiction of the Board; oversees the development and maintenance of property inventory program.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

This position's description will be reviewed annually by the executive committee and the county coordinator for needed updates.

The board has assigned these projects to the county coordinator's position:

• New GIS System.
• Ordinance Codification for the County.
• Comprehensive plan for the County.
• IDOT Economic Development Grant.
• Rural Water Grants(s)
• Enterprise Zone Extensions.
• Tax Increment Financing Administration

 Limit of Authority

The County Coordinator shall have only those powers and duties which are administrative or ministerial in nature. No provision is intended to vest in the Coordinator any duty, or grant to the position any authority, which is invested by State or Federal statute or regulations or County authority, which is invested by State or Federal statute or regulation or County Ordinance in or on any other County Officer. No provision shall be construed to delegate to the Coordinator any policy making or other authority required to be performed by the Board nor shall the Coordinator have the power to bind, obligate or to commit the County in any manner except by express grant of authority by the Board.

The Coordinator shall be responsible to the County Board through the Chairman of the County Board, with consideration of the Executive/Economic Development committee.

The Coordinator must have a valid driver's license.

 Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

 Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or Public Affairs or relevant field minimum or equivalent work experience. Must be proficient in computer skills.

 Experience

The County Coordinator shall be a person having demonstrated administrative and executive ability, with experience in private or public employment in responsible positions requiring the planning and execution of administrative operations, the budgeting and control of revenue and expenditures, the coordination and leadership of diverse departments and functions, the service to an elected or appointed board. He or she must become a resident of the County of Logan within ninety (90) days and shall so remain during his or her tenure of office.

 Salary

Salary range negotiable

 Benefits

Health, Dental, Life ($10,000), Retirement (IMRF), mileage allowance.

The County Coordinator will not run for nor accept appointment to any elected office, without first resigning their position.