PORT TOWNSEND — Taking another step closer to finding a new county administrator, Jefferson County commissioners on Monday temporarily filled the position until a permanent hire can be made.
The commissioners made official the hiring of Dennis Richards, 64, a former Gig Harbor police chief and a Fox Island resident for the past 20 years.
“Keeping the status quo is most important, but I just don’t want to fill a chair,” said Richards, who is technically working for the county administrator search firm Prothman Associates, under contract to the county.
Prothman is expected to begin advertising for a permanent county administrator next week.
Richards said his first actions would be to get out, visit and meet county employees in their various departments.
Richards attended the county commissioners meeting Monday and said it was his first day of work.
