Richland leadership in flux again, with interim administrator out after just 4 months
Note: This story has been updated from an earlier version.
It’s been a rocky year for Richland County leadership, and for the second time since May, the county is about to be left without a top official to oversee the day-to-day government.
Edward Gomeau, who was hired as interim county administrator in October, will resign Feb. 22 after four months on the job, according to a letter sent to County Council chairman Paul Livingston dated Jan. 18.
But in a statement several days later, Livingston indicated that Gomeau’s departure date might not be finalized and that the county “expects to name a permanent Administrator in the very near future.”
“Since you are nearing the conclusion of the search for a permanent administrator, in accordance with Section 2c of my employment agreement, I will be resigning my position as County Administrator effective February 22, 2019,” Gomeau wrote. “I am confident that should there be a short interim period between Administrators, the outstanding, capable county staff will provide excellent continuous service.”
Gomeau was hired to fill a gap while County Council members searched for a permanent replacement for former administrator Gerald Seals.
In a swirl of controversy, a sharply divided council voted twice last spring to fire Seals before the administrator ultimately resigned and walked away with a $1 million settlement and a promise not to sue the county.
For five months after Seals’ departure, the county operated without a clear leader. The administrator functions similarly to a director or CEO of a private organization.
Gomeau came to Richland County with a 40-year background in public service, including in finance and local government administration in Connecticut. He once worked as the finance director for Greenwich, Conn., one of the richest towns in the country.
He was expected to serve as the interim administrator for several months until the council hired a permanent administrator.
“My tenure, although brief, has been challenging and rewarding, and allowed me the opportunity to continue my life-long learning in public service,” Gomeau wrote in his resignation letter.
The search for a new administrator remains underway and “is nearing an end,” Livingston said in an emailed statement. The county has been working with a professional search firm. County Council was scheduled to discuss the administrator search Thursday, Jan. 24, during its retreat in downtown Charleston.
This story was originally published January 26, 2019 at 5:00 AM.
