Linn Co. should hire county administrator

To the editor:

There is a petition requesting a 2016 vote to reduce the number of Linn County Supervisors from five to three. This reduces total supervisors salary from approximately $500,000 to $300,000, reducing salary required by $200,000.

In 2006, the number of supervisors was increased from three to five. The county was divided in five districts with a supervisor residing in each district. The advantages of this were to provide five geographical diversified areas to provide more equal representation. Disadvantages were increased salaries.

I favor keeping the five supervisors at 60 percent time. This would reduce total salaries by $200,000. Reduced supervisor time would require the supervisors to hire a county administrator having an MBA or equivalent.

The county administrator serves as the principal adviser to the board and acts as a liaison between the board and other county departments. The county administrator supervises the actions of all appointed department heads and ensures that whenever possible, departments work together to provide the best possible service to the residents of Linn County.

What other counties in Iowa have county administrators? Both Polk and Scott. Their population/FY16 budget/employees are as follows: Polk 450,000/$250M/1,200+ and Scott 170,000/80M/500+. This indicates a need for a county administrator in counties having the highest population, budget and employees. Linn County has 210,000/108M/800+ and ranks below Polk and above Scott.

I suggest a petition to put on 2016 general election ballot: 'Should Linn County have five supervisors part-time with 40 percent reduction in salary and hire a county administrator?”

Ivan Hardt

Cedar Rapids