By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 11, 2008
Alarm bells are ringing over the hiring of a new administrator for the North Okanagan Regional District. Greg Betts, who is currently general manager of electoral area services, has been appointed as the new administrator, starting Jan. 5. But director Wayne Lippert says that while he has faith in Betts’ skills, the position should have been filled through a more traditional process. “We should have posted it internally or externally,” he said. “The final board decision was to approach Mr. Betts to see if he was interested. It would have been better for the board and Mr. Betts to see if there was any interest.” The decision to approach Betts about the job was made by the previous board in November.It’s officially not known who opposed the move but Lippert says there “was a definite split” among the directors.
Current administrator Brian Reardon is leaving at the end of the year to take up new duties on Vancouver Island. Herman Halvorson, NORD vice-chairman, defends the process followed with Betts. “Greg is very qualified for the job. He knows all of the staff and the senior managers are comfortable with him,” said Halvorson. Betts’ contract, which was ratified by the new board Wednesday, goes until May 2011, when Betts may possibly retire. “That gives us two years of transition and stability. The hiring process could have taken eight to 10 months and Greg would be there anyhow. And once a new administrator was hired, Greg would be showing them everything,” said Halvorson. Halvorson added that there is a shortage of local government administrators. “They are very hard to come by.” Part of Betts’ mandate will be to look at a process to fill the administrator’s position if he departs in 2011. Betts has been with NORD for three years and was administrator for Coldstream for 15 years. He has 30 years of experience in the field of local government.“Greg certainly has the credentials. He will be able to rise to that challenge,” said Lippert of Betts taking on his new role at NORD.
Betts’ salary as administrator will be $136,408 a year.
