Flathead County commissioners appointed the fairgrounds manager as the interim director of the county’s Agency on Aging.
Mark Campbell, the operations manager of the county fairgrounds since October 2010, agreed to take over management duties of the AOA department, which oversees transportation, meal programs and other services for local senior citizens.
The director position became vacant after county commissioners unanimously voted not to renew the contract of Jim Atkinson after 19 years on Feb. 23.
County Administrator Mike Pence recommended Campbell as a replacement, saying in a memo to commissioners, “we have a very good candidate for this interim position in Mark Campbell who is willing and able to perform the general management duties of the AOA Director.”
Commissioners approved the appointment 3-0 on March 5. The agreement stipulated that Campbell’s assignment would not exceed six months and his base pay would increase $10,000.
Applications for the full-time position will remain open until March 30. The job is listed at $40,825 a year.
Pence said the AOA department would be evaluated during the interim period, which often happens when an office undergoes change.
“We really need to look at the management structure with the multiple programs that have been directed by the AOA director,” Pence wrote. “I would like to work closely with an interim director to interview managers and employees and see if this whole operation is properly set up and functioning.”
Pence added, “While I don’t anticipate the need for any major changes we need to perform due diligence in my opinion.”