Johnson supervisors name James Bechtel as interim executive director

IOWA CITY — James Bechtel, a project and systems analyst for Johnson County, has been named the county’s interim executive director.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved his appointment Thursday. Bechtel could not be immediately reached for comment.

Bechtel, a University of Iowa graduate, has been with the county for two years, where he provides support for “strategic development and implementation of improvement projects, programs, and special county initiatives.”

The appointment comes a week after the supervisors fired the county’s executive director, Guillermo Morales, in a 3-2 vote, citing his “harsh and disrespectful” behavior. Morales denied these claims and has since started a write-in campaign for a seat on the Board of Supervisors.

Two supervisors, V Fixmer-Oraiz and Jon Green, voted against Morales’ firing, saying the action was out of line with county procedures and that Morales should be allowed to keep working under a performance improvement plan.

The executive director provides administrative guidance to the Board of Supervisors and assists in the daily operations and strategic initiatives of county government. Morales was hired at a starting salary of $103,545.26.

Rod Sullivan, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said the county has begun advertising for a permanent executive director but has no timeline for hiring someone.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com