Grand jury: Interim officials cost more than regulars

The civil grand jury questioned the county’s practice of hiring interim department heads and whether it ends up costing taxpayers more than hiring permanent officials.
The recently released San Benito County Grand Jury report culminated the past year’s work of 19 volunteers who investigated taxpayer-funded agencies, either upon request or on their own volition. Those government entities are required to respond in some manner to the report’s allegations within 90 days.
One of the investigations included in the report contended that interim directors make up 30 percent of the county department directors. Two of them work full time and one works part time, but the cost to the county is 12 percent higher for interim directors than for a regular, permanent employee.
The grand jury recommended that the board of supervisors needs to develop an organizational plan that addresses leadership succession and development of talent within county government.
Currently on the county’s website, two department heads listed as interim leaders include Byron Turner in planning and Joseph Horwedel in public works. Additionally, Mary Gilbert is interim executive director of the Council of San Benito County Governments transit agency.
Look back for more.