PORT TOWNSEND — Frank Gifford reluctantly accepted the call of duty Tuesday when the Jefferson County commissioners named him temporary interim Jefferson County administrator.
Gifford’s short-term appointment is the first step toward the commissioners hiring a county administrator to succeed John Fischbach, who on Jan. 14 announced his resignation, effective Feb. 15.
Fischbach cited personal reasons for leaving after 3 ½ years in the county’s top spot.
The former Fort Collins, Colo., city manager said he would seek employment with a municipality because he misses that level of government.
After the three commissioners’ unanimous appointment, Gifford said he was not interested in being a candidate for Fischbach’s job full time.
“We need to get on the search right away,” said county Commissioner David Sullivan via conference call from Olympia, where he was lobbying state lawmakers for water and transportation legislation.
Aside from appointing Gifford on Tuesday afternoon, the commissioners also put out a request for proposals for head-hunting firms to find a temporary and permanent administrator to run county government.
The job will be advertised locally and with the state of Washington.
