When it was confirmed that Katie Nunez had contracted with County to help fill a knowledge gap, it was also confirmed that it was an Executive Decision made Chairman Murray and Vice-Chairman LeMond. In a conversation with Granville Hogg, it appears this decision was made without the council, consent or knowledge of the other members of the Board. Former County Administrator Katie Nunez signed a contract ($75 an hour) on August 29th, which is set to run until June 2017. Ms. Nunez received a $100,000 severance package last month. According to the county, Finance Director John Andrzejewski, currently the acting county administrator, requested Nunez be available to help the county prepare for the upcoming audit.
While the Nunez agreement was dated August 29th, other members of the BoS, including Granville Hogg were blindsided by the news, and did not learn about it until it was released at the Tuesday, September 13th meeting. “Two were totally unaware of the news while the other was not precise on the day but it was close to the September 13th meeting,” Hogg said.
Opinion: The concern is not so much that Ms. Nunez is able to help out (bringing her on to fill a knowledge gap is prudent), but that the decision should have been discussed openly amongst the entire board, and not made arbitrarily by the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Board communication has the potential to substantially enhance the process and can turn different commitments, credentials, and talents into better strategies and decisions. Satchel Paige, the American baseball player, once said: “None of us is as smart as all of us.”
Whether the chairman and vice chairman had the authority to act alone they should have included the remaining board members in a decision which effects the citizens of Northampton County! Perhaps it is time to review and revise their powers so this doesn’t happen again!