A vote on whether to confirm Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz as the first executive director of South Sound 911 won’t take place until January.
The new agency’s Policy Board met Wednesday to discuss Neiditz’s confirmation but did not vote on it. It scheduled a vote for Jan. 9.
Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, who is chairwoman of the Policy Board, said the panel received information — including applicant materials and interviews — on the proceedings that led to Neiditz’s recommendation.
“There were a number of us that wanted time to process the information, read over it and we’ll make a decision in January,” said McCarthy, who was on vacation last week.
“This is a matter of having a deliberative process,” McCarthy said.
“This is a very important decision.”
Eight of the nine elected officials who make up the policy board were at Wednesday’s meeting.
“I think the intention is to digest all the information,” said board member and Steilacoom Mayor Ron Lucas. “I think it’s going to get taken care of on Jan. 9.”
It was unclear going into Wednesday’s meeting whether the panel would take a vote at that time to confirm Neiditz.
A board of police and fire chiefs Friday unanimously recommended Neiditz. He also was the unanimous top choice of a search committee that had narrowed 32 applicants to three finalists.
Neiditz, 59, has been Lakewood’s city manager since March 2005.
The position of South Sound 911 director has an annual salary range of $175,000 to $205,000.
Neiditz earns $156,000 annually as city manager of Lakewood.
South Sound 911 is the new agency working to build a seamless emergency communications system in Pierce County.
In November 2011, Pierce County voters approved raising the sales tax by a penny on every $10 purchase to help build a cohesive radio network and two dispatch centers. The tax increase took effect in April.
The upgraded radio system for emergency responders will comply with new federal standards for so-called narrow-banding and replace a patchwork of incompatible radio systems.
Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647 steve.maynard @thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/politics @TNTstevemaynard
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