Lincoln County is advertising for a new, top administrator three months after the resignation of its first administrator who had held the job for nearly three years.
The county hired Tim Johnson in April 2022 after commissioners decided the county needed someone to focus solely on directing department heads and overseeing its $180 million budget. For decades the top administrative duties were handled by the county counsel and three commissioners.
Johnson resigned Feb. 7 after apparent dissatisfaction by commissioners with his work.
Pay for the position is advertised at $154,000 to $207,000 a year with the full range of county benefits. In the job description and application the county said candidates are required to have three years of high-level administrative responsibility at a department head or assistant city manager level or above. It also prefers someone with a master’s degree as well as previous administrative experience in an Oregon county.
Most administrative duties since Johnson’s departure are being handled by commission chair Claire Hall and counsel Kristian Yuille. Two construction projects – the demolition and rebuilding of the fairgrounds area in Newport and a new animal shelter in Waldport – are being overseen by two department heads.
The county had tried to find an interim administrator, so far has been unsuccessful and Hall said it’s not certain if commissioners would hire one.
