Drafter
Clerk 3/2/2007
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A MOTION to extend the interim appointment of James J. Buck as the director of the records, elections and licensing services division of the department of executive services for a second sixty-day period.
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WHEREAS, on July 17, 2006, James J. Buck was appointed as the interim director of the records, elections and licensing services division ("REALS") of the department of executive services pursuant to K.C.C. 2.16.110 E.1, and
WHEREAS, an offer of employment for REALS director was offered to a candidate in August 2006 and negotiations ensued into September, ultimately resulting in nonacceptance by the candidate, and
WHEREAS, during the period from September through November 2006, King County elections successfully prepared for, conducted and certified both a primary and general election, and
WHEREAS, eligible elections officials throughout the nation were also engaged in preparing and administering the November general election in the months of October and November 2006, and
WHEREAS, the availability or ability of candidates with the requisite skills and experience to be the REALS director during this time period was virtually nonexistent, and
WHEREAS, the executive and the department of executive services hereby certify that they are actively engaged in a competitive search process for the position, and
WHEREAS, King County has contracted with the Waldron Company to provide recruitment services for the REALS director position, and
WHEREAS, the 2006 holiday season lengthened Waldron's recruitment efforts, and
WHEREAS, the continuity of leadership in King County elections is a necessary ingredient in preparing and administering successful elections, during the recruitment period, and
WHEREAS, King County elections will conduct special elections on February 6 and March 13, 2007, and
WHEREAS, the initial appointment of James J. Buck as the interim director was limited to one hundred fifty days pursuant to K.C.C. 2.16.110 E.1, and
WHEREAS, the one-hundred-fifty-day maximum initial appointment duration expired on December 13, 2006, and
WHEREAS, pursuant to K.C.C. 2.16.110 E.1, on December 12, 2006, county council Motion 12425 granted a sixty-day extension of the interim appointment, and
WHEREAS, the first sixty-day extension will expire after February 11, 2007, and
WHEREAS, Waldron's progress to date indicates their nationwide executive search is going very well with several of the formal candidates rated as highly qualified, and
WHEREAS, Waldron anticipates final interviews will be conducted near the mid-March 2007 time frame with a final offer being extended during the term of this extension, and
WHEREAS, a second sixty-day extension of the interim appointment will provide continuity of leadership in King County elections until April 12, 2007, and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the county and its citizens and is critical to the effective running of the records, elections and licensing services division that Mr. Buck continue serving in this interim capacity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
James J. Buck shall continue to serve as the interim director for the records, elections and licensing services division of the department of executive services for a
second sixty-day period while the search for, and placement of, a new director is completed.