PittCo narrow field to four administrator candidates

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors has narrowed the field down to four candidates for the job of county administrator, according to Chairman Vic Ingram.

All four are from Virginia, he said.

The field initially included 14 applicants from five states, but one dropped out due to taking another position, said Ingram.

County staff is now looking to schedule interviews, either in person or via Zoom, said Ingram.

The plan is to make a final selection by the April 19 Board meeting, he said.

The job posting states that prior experience in county management is not required, although public or private sector management experience is required and preferably in Virginia.

Ingram said there are some Board members, however, who favor a nationwide search, but the Board decided to forgo that process to save time and money.

Westover District Supervisor Ron Scearce favors a nationwide search, similar to what was done five years ago when the county hired former County Administrator David Smitherman.

Smitherman was abruptly relieved of his duties in January and former County Administrator Clarence Monday has been filling in on a interim basis. The county also lost its assistant administrator, Richard Hicks, in March.

Five years ago, the Board received 30 applicants with the desired education and experience, said Scearce.

This time, Scearce said there are six to seven who have a master's in public administration and the minimum desired county management experience.

Last time, the nationwide search took six months, he said.

Scearce said the county received a grant the last time to cover the cost of a nationwide search and believes that could be done again.

Ingram estimates a nationwide search could cost up to $50,000.

"It's a waste of money," he said.

Scearce said the advantage of a nationwide search is that the search firm does the initial screening.

Ingram said those looking for this type of work know where to look and the job was posted on the Virginia Association of Counties website, as well as the Virginia Municipal League.