Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — The committee appointed to select a new county manager met for the first time Monday, voting in officers, discussing the need for a larger budget and the manager’s proposed salary.
Michael Giamber, Fairmont Township, was unanimously elected committee chairman.
The committee, selected by the Luzerne County Council, also includes Carmen Ambrosino, Gene Camoni, Robert Fisher and Gerard O’Donnell, who was absent because of a family emergency.
The committee discussed its $17,000 budget which several members said they believed was insufficient to fund their search.
“We are looking for someone to fill an executive position,” said Giamber, “and there are related expenses.”
Committee members discussed the county manager position’s criteria, including an apparent salary cap of about $178,000, mandated to be less then the salary of the district attorney, which is set by state statute. Some members thought it best not to advertise a salary range.
Giamber said during early stages of the search, he believed the Home Rule Charter directed that names of applicants be redacted to create a level playing field. He also believes the search could be broad in scope with advertisements placed throughout the United States.
“I just want to find the best person for the job,” he said. “I don’t think we can have enough diversity.”
Ambrosino emphasized the responsibility of the candidates to provide clear, concise responses on applications to facilitate the process of selection, providing information on “knowledge, skills and abilities.”
He also emphasized participation of the public. “Transparency is so important,” he said.
Camoni suggested the committee accept input from department heads and residents online.
Fisher encouraged consideration of applicants from various backgrounds, “Profit, nonprofit — we just want the most qualified candidate.”
The committee will attend the Luzerne County Council meeting as a group on Dec. 29.
The next meeting of the county manager search committee will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Jan. 4.