County’s administration department still a work in progress

County Commissioners are hammering out how the relatively new county administration department should operate.

There was some back-and-forth Monday between commissioners about how the chief administrator, a position currently held by Betsy Keller, should be able to manage her own staff and the county departments she oversees.

As opposed to the city manager for El Paso, which is defined by the city charter, the county chief administrator is under the authority of county commissioners. The county authorized the hiring of a chief administrator for the first time in July 2014.

County Judge Veronica Escobar said the chief administrator needed to have discretion with staff without it being the subject of an open meeting.

“For (Keller) to do that before she’s had an opportunity to speak to the staff member I don’t think is good management,” Escobar said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Vince Perez (D) argued any changes that could affect other county departments or services should be brought before commissioners.

“You have to strike a balance that the court is notified of any major changes that might occur at the county,” Perez said.