Fair manager to head Agency on Aging

Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell will do double duty for the next several months, serving as the interim director of the county Agency on Aging.

Flathead County commissioners on Monday appointed Campbell to the post, replacing Jim Atkinson, whose contract wasn’t renewed last month.

Campbell said he’s pleased to have the opportunity “to support the citizens and the community” as the agency’s interim director.

County Administrator Mike Pence said he and Campbell will work closely in the coming months to evaluate the Agency on Aging to see if any parts of the department need adjusting or revising.

Pence told commissioners he always likes to evaluate departments and offices when a director vacancy is created. Because the Agency on Aging includes four separate divisions, it’s especially important to review its operations, he said. Pence also likes to review and revise job descriptions when positions come open.

“While I don’t anticipate the need for any major changes, we need to perform due diligence,” Pence wrote in a memo to commissioners. “This is a good time to evaluate ... to see if we’d keep it status quo or if we make any changes.”  

Pence pointed out that program supervisors for Eagle Transit, Meals on Wheels and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program within the Agency on Aging already run their divisions and will continue to do so.

“With well-trained AOA department program supervisors in place, I think Mark will be able to do well and we should have no reduction in service to the patrons of the services provided in transportation, volunteer programs, information and outreach, senior centers and meals programs,” Pence wrote.

Commissioners concurred with Pence’s recommendation to increase Campbell’s $60,000 annual salary by $10,000 a year while he’s the interim director.

They also voted that he not hold the interim position for more than six months. His salary will end up increasing by $192.31 a week while he does double duty.

“We will have to measure how much time Mark spends on it and if it’s too much of a burden, we’ll adjust,” Pence said.

Commissioner Dale Lauman said some Agency on Aging staffers and board members have voiced their worry and concern to him in the last week since Atkinson’s contract wasn’t renewed.

Appointing an interim director will help reassure people that the agency isn’t at risk, Lauman said.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.