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Kay Worley
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Interim
Emergency director named in close vote
By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
The potential threat of grant funds being cut led the Columbus County Board of Commissioners to name an interim Emergency Services director Monday night.
In a 4-3 vote of the board, Kay Worley, ES assistant director, was appointed interim director.
Commissioners James Prevatte, Ronald Gore and Ricky Bullard voted against the motion. County Manager Jim Varner told commissioners that funds would be lost if an interim director was not appointed and the motion made retroactive.
Exact figures were not discussed but Varner said about $15,000 to $20,000 would be lost.
Gore questioned if the grant was based on a percentage of the salary and if in fact the county would have to spend more money by increasing Worley’s pay.
“I don’t have what percentage it needs to go up,” Varner said.
Finance Director Leo Hunt explained that with reduced costs the revenue would be reduced and that the funding is based on a percentage of what is spent.
“My advice is appoint an acting director at whatever salary you would like; normally you don’t give an interim the salary of a director,” Hunt said.
Gore asked if the grant had already been given.
“Just because they gave you an award letter that doesn’t mean unless you follow the rules you get the grant,” Hunt explained.
Gore asked what was being done to find a full-time director.
“The personnel committee met a couple of weeks ago and elected to advertise it again,” Commissioner Bill Memory said.
Gore asked if an interim director was named would the interim’s salary be at the same level as that of the previous director.
“You normally compensate for the extra responsibility but that’s not happened in this case,” Varner said.
“We’re not going to take a chance on losing this money,” Memory said.
In September 2006, EM Director and County Fire Marshal Ronnie Hayes resigned under pressure. The circumstances surrounding his resignation are unclear.
Two months later an interim director had not been named and a tornado ripped through Riegelwood, killing six adults and two children. No other natural disaster or accident caused more deaths in Columbus County history.
A Jan. 30 email from Paula Brown, eastern branch coordinator with North Carolina Emergency Services, warned the county money would be lost if a director or interim director was not appointed.
Brown explained in the correspondence that she spoke with Varner a few weeks prior to the Jan. 30 email and “encouraged the county” to move forward in “filling the position of Emergency Management director for the county for many reasons.
“The business of emergency management is obvious during the period of response such as the Riegelwood tornado event.
“However, emergency management (must) be a continuing priority of government.”
Brown explained that training, equipment, grant administration compliance and public information are functions that form the foundation of the county’s response.
“I advised the county manager that the Emergency Management Program Grant is provided in support of the county’s EM Program. The funding formula is tied directly to the county EM director’s position (i.e., director’s salary, benefits, etc.)
“The grant application is based on the associated cost. Since no one has been named (or even serving as interim director) the county does run the risk of seeing a decrease in the supporting EMPG funding for the application period.
“I gave the example of another Area 5 county whose EM director was on medical leave before retiring. That county named an acting director at a reduced salary for an extended period of time; therefore their associated cost report decreased.
“As a result, that county saw a significant decrease in their EMPG award.”
“I’ve been doing it for several months,” said Worley who took over responsibility for the department when Director Ronnie Hayes resigned in Sept. 2006 and one time before when former director John Moore was fired in 2003.
“I know the job, I know the responsibility and I know the requirements,” Worley said of the position that oversees emergency management, emergency services, 911 dispatching and addressing.
“It’s a big responsibility,” Worley said. “I love my job, I love what I do and I enjoy the people I work with.”
She found out about the appointment a day after the meeting and met with County Manager Jim Varner on Thursday. No salary has been set for the position.
Worley, a Columbus County native, was hired as an office assistant with the department in 1998 and became assistant director in 2004.
Worley resides in the Williams Township Community with her husband Mike and three children: Samantha, Chandler and Logan.