County Board Chair Ann Sullivan talks navigating transitions

The Cook County Board of Commissioners appointed an interim county administrator earlier this week. The move came after Administrator James Joerke informed the board that he would be taking a leave of absence following the death of his spouse. The board considered several candidates to temporarily fill Joerke’s role, and ultimately identified MIS Director Rowan Watkins.

Board Chair and District 4 Commissioner Ann Sullivan spoke with WTIP about the selection process, and how the county aims to navigate Joerke’s absence during a busy time for the county.

Selecting an interim administrator

Sullivan said that after the county leadership team convened after receiving the news that Joerke would be taking leave. The leadership team includes Sullivan, Commissioner Dave Mills, Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers, and County Attorney Molly Hicken. Sullivan said that HR Director Allison Plummer was also part of the meeting. The group discussed filling the interim position. Sullivan said, “We discussed many, many qualified people, but in the end, we all came to a conclusion that our management information systems director, Rowan Watkins, would be a very, very good fit for the position. And Rowan, in addition to just all the requirements that he fulfills, has such a level of spirit, I would call it a spirit of service to our organization and our community.”

As word about the situation has spread, Sullivan said that they have seen many offers of support, which is something she appreciates about the community. She said, “We all pitch in and help each other. Anytime there’s an emergency, there’s a challenge, people in Cook County show up. And whether it’s residents or employees of the county, people have sent emails and phone calls indicating their concern for the situation, their concern for James, and how can they help.”

As Watkins takes on his interim position, Sullivan said that he will not be alone. She said that Powers, Hicken, and Plummer have all agreed to assist with different elements of the administrator role. Powers will assist with the 2025 budget and financial management. Hicken will work on county contracts. Plummer will take on additional personnel duties that are  typically handled by the administrator.

Moving forward

While the county works to keep everything on track and assist Watkins during his time as interim administrator, Sullivan acknowledged that there are some plans that will need to be changed. She said, “Due to the nature of this situation, going to have to put some things on the bookshelf, so to speak, for a little bit of time.” Sullivan gave the example of the ClearGov tool that the county was looking to roll out to the public before the end of the year. The program aimed to present county budget information in a more easily navigable format than the typical spreadsheets. Sullivan said, however, that given how much time it would take for someone new to step into the role to finish compiling that information and launching the technology, it made more sense to put the plan on hold and focus on other county functions.

Sullivan said during the Oct. 22 meeting that the future was unknown, and both she and Powers emphasized the need for continued discussion about next steps. When speaking to WTIP, Sullivan commended Joerke on how much communication he has maintained with the rest of county leadership. She said that clear communication not only with Joerke, but within the county will be paramount as they navigate this time. The recent past has included the retirement of two long-time county employees, Maintenance Director Ben Silence, Recorder Dusty Nelms. Last week also included the announcement that Hicken will be leaving her position as County Attorney at the beginning of 2025.

Beyond internal communication, Sullivan said that she has also reached out to the Association of Minnesota Counties. She said that the AMC has offered the county additional support and resources from other counties in the region and state. She added, “I feel really, really confident that we are in good shape to deal with the transitions that we’re going through.”

As employees at the county work to organize to ensure that the next several months run smoothly, Sullivan offered one last thought for Administrator Joerke. She said, “We hope he takes the time he needs to focus on himself and his daughter and the family. We, as an organization, are going to ensure that all his work responsibilities are covered during his absence. And the entire Cook County team is really here to offer all our support, both professionally and personally.”

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Board Chair Ann Sullivan about the appointment of an interim administrator and how the county plans to adapt as the year winds up. Audio of that interview is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski October 24, 2024