Town Administrator

Hal Mason resigned as Town Administrator on June 20th.   His last day is August 30th.   He has been a tremendous help to the Town.     He had served for four years as the Town Administrator in Hanahan.  I am very sad to see him go.   I am very anxious to hire a replacement.

According to South Carolina law, with the Mayor-Council form of government:

The mayor and council may employ an administrator to assist the mayor in his office. 

The Town began advertising immediately after June 20th.   The Town has received over 40 applications for the position.   While the applications are confidential, they have been available for review by members of Council since August 5th.

In my view, given where we are in the Town's development, the Town should hire an experienced Town Administrator.    There are nine applicants who either are Town Administrators now or served as Town Administrators in the past.  These applicants are from across the country--from New England to the Southwest.

I think that the ideal candidate will have served as a Town Administrator in South Carolina.   The Town receives much of its revenue from the Local Option Sales Tax and State Aid to Subdivisions.   These are South Carolina programs, so those with experience in South Carolina municipal government should understand them.    We also receive substantial revenue through the Municipal Association of South Carolina.  Again, this is something about which a Town Administrator with South Carolina experience would understand.   Finally, annexation law is very specific to each state.

Better yet would be a Town Administrator with experience in Charleston County.   All municipalities work with the County on the 1/2 cent sales tax and CTC projects.   But the Town of James Island has an intergovernmental agreement with Charleston County regarding a variety of other public services.   A Town Administrator with experience working with an intergovernmental agreement with Charleston County would be ideal.

Fortunately, the Town does have a candidate for the position of Town Administrator who fits these criterion.   She is from Johns Island and a graduate of the Academic Magnet School.   She received a BA in Public Administration and a Masters of Business Administration from Winthrop University.   She has served as the Town Administrator of Kiawah Island for the last 6 years.

At the Town Council meeting last night, I nominated Tumiko Rucker to serve as James Island's Town Administrator.   The majority of Town Council voted in favor of the appointment.  I hope that we will sign a contract soon and that she will begin work in September.