County department looks for new leader

By: Bob Stuart | News Virginian
Published: December 28, 2009

Augusta County will replace retiring Director of Community Development Dale Cobb in the next few months, at a time of significant change.

Augusta County is working on major ordinance changes and the continued implementation of the county’s revised comprehensive development plan.

Cobb, who has overseen the department for decades, is expected to retire in March. The county has set a Jan. 8 deadline for applications for the position on its Web site.

The director of community development’s activities include planning, zoning and engineering services as well as developing and interpreting and enforcing zoning and subdivision ordinances.

County supervisors say the position, which has a salary range of $69,347 to $97,986, is critical to the county and has to be filled even in the current lean budget times.

“We decided to fill the position with all that is going on,’’ said Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Howdyshell.

Howdyshell said the new community development director has to work with and manage employees and do “a whole host of things.”

In addition to management experience, the candidates need experience in community development and should have a master’s degree in a related field.

Riverheads Supervisor Nancy Sorrells said the new community development director must also coordinate with the county’s new economic development director, Dennis Burnett.

“These are changing times and everybody will need some direction of how we go forward,’’ Sorrells said.

She said finding the right successor to Cobb is important because Augusta County is growing with a “fairly new comprehensive plan” and zoning ordinance revisions set for a final vote early in 2010.

“We need to create a vision for the future,’’ Sorrells said. “Having someone lead that department is vital.”

Sorrells said Augusta County Administrator Pat Coffield will work with the board on a successor to Cobb.

Howdyshell said the board will be briefed on the level of interest in the job by Coffield.

Sorrells hopes the new person can transition into the job with Cobb before he departs.