Wake County’s new manager made an appearance at his first Board of Commissioners meeting Monday.
James Hartmann will begin his duties April 14, and Commissioners approved his contract at Monday’s regular meeting.
Provided by Wake County
Hartmann was hired in February to fill the vacancy left by former County Manager David Cooke. Cooke retired in November after more than a decade in the position.
“Your previous manager did a great job for 13 years and I hope to replicate that,” Hartmann said.
Deputy County Manager Joe Durham has been filling the position on an interim basis while Commissioners waded through the hiring process.
Hartmann was previously the manager of Seminole County, Fla. and was selected from a pool of almost 60 applicants.
Hartmann will be paid $220,000 per year, plus benefits and a $6,000 yearly car allowance.
County and School Board Sign Construction Oversight Agreement
The Wake County School Board and Board of Commissioners have created a joint committee that will advise and oversee school construction and design and school land acquisition.
The Joint School Facilities Core Team is made up of staff members from the county and school district who will meet on a regular basis to discuss plans and endeavors related to building schools in Wake County. The joint team has 30 days to come up with a written process that outlines the collaboration process.
Commissioners and school board members have had a tumultuous relationship recently; much of the tension stems from either school construction or purchasing land for future schools. The Republican-lead Board of Commissioners lobbied the General Assembly last year for a local law that would put more control of school construction in their hands, but the bill was never passed.
The School Board is responsible for building and renovating school buildings, but needs financial approval from the Board of Commissioners, which oversees the school district’s finances.
The School Board approved the agreement earlier this month.
East Raleigh School Property Approved
While not under the purview of the new joint team, Commissioners approved purchasing a 20-acre piece of property for a future elementary school.
The future school will be located at 201 N. Rogers Lane in east Raleigh.
The property cost $1.5 million, but an additional $3.8 million will be needed for site development.
