Board members reviewed a proposed schedule to hire an assistant director, with the idea that the candidate selected will be groomed to eventually take over as chief executive officer.
Tim Smith, who now serves as CEO, retired in 2008, but agreed to return to help run the district after its previous CEO resigned.
According to the proposed schedule, applications for the assistant director could be accepted until mid-March, and candidates could be presented to the board for review in late April or early May. A final selection could be announced in June. The assistant director would potentially be trained to take over as CEO when Smith retires.
Board members also heard from Jim Bodenmiller, city manager for Springfield. About 10 years ago, the county and city created National Trail when they combined their recreation departments. After several failed levy attempts National Trail board members had discussed the possibility of dissolving the district and returning it to a department of the city government. But Bodenmiller recommended against doing so, arguing there is no compelling reason to break the district apart at this time.
“It may be best to leave it as it is right now,” Bodenmiller said.
Board members also discussed several challenges they will face this year, including finding a way to pay for maintenance of green space within the parks and covering the costs of repair and maintenance to golf courses and equipment.
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