Norman sets projects to complete before December retirement
BRANCH COUNTY — County Administrator Bud Norman surprised many at the end of Thursday's work session by announcing he will retire at the end of this year after nearly 18 years on the job.
"I won't be a lame duck. I will continue to work hard," Norman promised.
Norman's current contract ends on Dec. 31. Norman and commissioners would have had to negotiate a new agreement this year.
Commissioner Tom Matthew thanked him for giving a year's notice and his years of service.
Commissioners gave Norman a satisfactory evaluation in October, adding to the motion, "He's doing a good job."
Norman came to the county job in June 2006 after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army. He retired as a colonel, serving his last three years as a program analyst in the Pentagon.
Norman replaced Duke Anderson, the second longest-serving administrator, who served eight years.
Norman made his decision this week and said one consideration was his family's health issues in Virginia starting in 2023.
Norman told commissioners that he had two goals he wanted to complete before leaving and a third he wanted to make sure got underway.
Courthouse upgrades
Commissioners approved using $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the first upgrades and renovations of the county courthouse/administration building since 2002.
Work already started replacing carpeting in Friend of the Court and upgrades on the elevator.
District and circuit courtroom upgrades are top priorities.
Old jail demolition
Norman wants to complete the demolition of the nearly 70-year-old building that used to house the Branch County Jail until December 2021.
Delays came because of needed hazardous material abatement. The county received a state grant of $146,000 in 2023 to help in demolition.
Countywide broadband
Norman wants to ensure work begins on building countywide broadband internet services in partnership with Frontier North Inc.
The company estimated the cost to be $38 million. Commissioners committed $1 million in ARPA money to receive a $22.3 million Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks grant, called ROBIN, to cover over 50% of the cost.
The county expects completion by September 2025.
Past controversies
Norman faced severe criticism in 2011 when the county budget was cut, laying off 11 sheriff road patrol deputies. Revenues coming to the county in 2012 dropped because of the delayed economic impact of the Great Recession of 2008-09.
The commission returned six of those deputies to the 2024 budget after townships passed resolutions asking for the return of 24-hour police patrols.
Norman's last 2018 contract became a political issue.
Prior story County administrator receives 'satisfactory' rating
Commissioners Tim Stoll and Tom Matthew were surprised in January 2022 to find the administrator's contract automatically renewed for a final three years if the commission did not act on the renewal before Sept. 30, 2021.
Both commissioners elected in 2020 said they requested a contract copy but never received one until after the deadline.
Former commissioner Terri Norris waited until she left office in December 2020 to raise questions about her negotiated contract.
Norris said the written contract did not reflect what she understood was the agreement of an 8% yearly increase to cover Norman's additional duties with the county building department.
When Norris saw the written contract signed by former board chairman Ted Gordon, the agreement was 8% for 2019, 16% for 2020, and a 24% increase in 2021.
Commissioners must now decide what process they will use to find a replacement for Norman.
Contact Don Reid at dReid@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Norman surprises Branch commission with December retirement
