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Luzerne County Manager Robert Lawton’s chances of obtaining a new county administrator position in Arizona have increased dramatically because three of the five finalists have withdrawn their applications.
Lawton and the other remaining finalist — Carlos De La Torre, the city manager of Douglas, Arizona — will be interviewed on April 9, according to the Cochise County government website.
The three other finalists withdrew their applications as of March 31, the county site said. The reasons, according to county spokeswoman Arlethe Rios: one had family considerations, another is pursuing a different job offer and the third was removed after concerns over issues during employment in another jurisdiction.
The resumes of both remaining finalists were posted on the county site.
De La Torre has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s in civil engineering. He has worked as city manager in Douglas since July 2012 and previously worked as a community development director in Cochise County, public works director/engineer in Douglas, a faculty trainer for utility managers, an interim city manager/public works director and senior engineering associate.
Lawton has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in political science and has worked as Luzerne County’s first permanent manager under the home rule government since February 2012. His previous positions include work as a principal management analyst, administrative officer and deputy administrator in two California counties, a county legislature clerk and state senate associate analyst in New York and a county administrator in Wisconsin.
Officials in Cochise County, which is in the southeastern part of the state, expect to make a decision soon after the April 9 interviews on whether they will offer the job to Lawton or De La Torre or conduct a new search.
The county received and evaluated more than 50 applicants from across the country with an “impressive” mix of experience and skills over the last three months before picking the finalists, the county’s website said.
Lawton has unsuccessfully applied for positions in at least two other states but has declined to discuss his career plans.
Luzerne County Council members recently agreed to form a temporary committee to formulate a county manager search plan so council is prepared if the top administrative position becomes vacant.
The charter requires council’s appointment of an outside search committee of at least three people to seek, screen and interview applicants before recommending the ones it believes are most qualified to council for its consideration.
Councilman Tim McGinley, who chairs the temporary committee, said members will meet Tuesday to focus on the structure of the search committee. The group must recommend the number of people who should be on the panel, their expected qualifications and how council will earmark funds that may be necessary for the recruitment process, he said.
Council Chairwoman Linda McClosky Houck also said there’s been some committee discussion about offering a contract to cover the compensation and length of time a manager would agree to remain here. If the committee recommends a contract, McClosky Houck said she believes one should be offered to Lawton.
“Whatever parameters this committee intends to put in place for the next manager should be in place for the current manager,” McClosky Houck said.
Lawton receives $110,000 and did not receive a contract.
Councilman Jim Bobeck, who serves on the temporary committee, said he’s been pushing for a contract for Lawton for more than a year and believes a contract would entice Lawton to drop his job search.
“While some council members want to push him out, I believe the majority want him to stay,” Bobeck said. “I think it’s embarrassing that we’re talking about the replacement strategy of Bob when we should be talking about the retention of Bob.”