Yellow Pages
Skagit County’s interim public works director is leaving his post effective July 31 — the third person to leave the position this year, and the fifth in less than three years.
Dave Sheridan, 60, is retiring after 29 and a half years as a county employee. He submitted a letter announcing his retirement to the county commissioners on June 17.
Sheridan’s decision to leave the interim director’s position five months after accepting it was not based on job dissatisfaction, he said.
“I’m enjoying this job,” Sheridan said. “My plans are to enjoy my grandkids.”
Sheridan took over the Public Works Department on Feb. 24, less than a month after Assistant Director Jeff Miller had accepted the job. Miller left for a position at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Before Miller was Jim Voetberg, previously of Alaska, who resigned Jan. 27 after 18 months as director.
The top post in Public Works has been a revolving door since Chal Martin resigned in August 2006. He was hired soon after to his current position heading Burlington’s Public Works Department. Gene Sampley, who was the county’s public works director more than a decade ago, replaced Martin on an interim basis until Voetberg was hired.
The county commissioners were scheduled to meet in a private session Tuesday to discuss how to replace Sheridan.
County Administrator Tim Holloran conceded in an interview before the meeting that the lack of continuity at the director position hasn’t been good for the county’s largest department, which has responsibilities that include flood control, drainage, road maintenance, solid waste and the Guemes ferry.
“There needs to be a common vision and goals. ... That seemed to be lacking in quite a few areas,” Holloran said.
“The department has suffered, and we need to provide some stability and hire the right person,” he added.
The commissioners may be ready to look outside the department for a director, possibly someone who has experience with floods, Holloran said.
n Ralph Schwartz can be reached at 360-416-2138 or .
