Despite voters giving thumbs-down to a 2017 ballot question on hiring a county administrator, commissioners decided in a split vote Monday to create the position anyway.
The non-binding 2017 advisory vote whether to hire an administrator was 1,192 opposed and 962 in favor.
Before commissioner Randy Dallke arrived at Monday’s meeting, chairman Dianne Novak said she believes the county needs an administrator. Commissioner Kent Becker agreed, then Novak made a motion to approve a resolution — not written yet — to hire an administrator. Becker seconded Novak’s motion.
Dallke entered the commission room as the motion was made and seconded and asked if he gets to talk about it. He reminded Novak and Becker that the public had voted against hiring an administrator.
“It’s very sad that we’re going against the way of the public,” Dallke said.
Monday’s vote was 2 to 1, with Novak and Becker in favor and Dallke opposed.
(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)