The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission needs to get its fiscal house in order before actively searching for a new executive director. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports that’s the message following last night’s executive board meeting:
The commission approved a separation agreement with longtime executive director Terry Kohlbuss last month. Tri-County chair Larry Whitaker says multiple issues need to get hammered-out before searching for Kohlbuss’ replacement:
“We have to have our personnel manual ready, we’ve gone through a period where we’ve identified some weaknesses there, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got that ready. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready financially to do what we need to do,” Whitaker says.
The Commission must still pay Kohlbuss his base salary and health benefits for the next five months as part of the separation agreement. The body is also working to raise its line of credit with South Side Bank by $200,000, and owes $50,000 on a contract with Vital Economy for regional development. Whitaker says it makes sense for the next executive director to have a contract with the commission. That’s in contrast to Kohlbuss who didn’t have a formal agreement with the group. Whitaker says commission members will discuss later this month whether to search for an interim director, or have staff temporarily take up the role.