Sedgwick County commissioners have voted to have contract negotiations that will remove the “Interim” from the title for county manager Tom Stolz.
Stolz was named as the interim manager in December after the resignation of Michael Scholes. He was the leading candidate in a county manager search in 2015 after the retirement of Bill Buchanan, but commissioners voted to offer the job to Scholes at that time.
Commission chairman David Dennis said he and other commissioners have had a chance to see Stolz in action, and he said Stolz has brought a different atmosphere to the county during trying times. He said he has received a number of messages of support for Stolz from county staff and from leaders in the community. Commissioner Lacey Cruse said Stolz has brought “stability and a sense of calm” to the county, and she doesn’t want to spend tax dollars on a a search to “find someone that we already have in front of us.”
Commissioner Jim Howell raised concerns about making the choice this soon, and he felt the county should go through a process and see other candidates that may be available, but he also expressed support for Stolz. The commissioners voted unanimously to direct interim county counselor Mike Pepoon to begin contract negotiations with Stolz. A proposed contract could be ready for the commission next week.
