The Marion County Commission on Thursday appointed Mounir Bouyounes as Acting Marion County Administrator following a public hearing on the Twin Lakes Ranchettes road assessment project.
Commission Chairman Stan McClain initiated the discussion citing the need to address immediate requirements for continuity of management of county operations in light of Interim County Administrator Bill Kauffman’s recent resignation. This was done under a statutory exemption from the requirement for public participation. Commissioners unanimously voted to implement the appointment.
“This effort will help us maintain continuity of operations, especially during this critical time in the budget process,” said McClain. “It will allow Mr. Bouyounes time to transition into the role and continue the great job Mr. Kauffman has done with the county’s budget preparation efforts.”
The County Commission will afford full opportunity for public input regarding this decision as part of an agenda item to be presented during the Aug. 4 regularly-scheduled commission meeting. The board may, at its discretion, modify its decision upon consideration of the public comment.
During Thursday’s public hearing, the commission additionally tasked Bouyounes with reviewing the organizational structure and bringing back any immediate and longer term recommendations to support moving forward.
As acting county administrator, Bouyounes will oversee implementation of commission policies and directives, participate in future discussions regarding the 2015-16 county budget, and supervise daily operations for 21 departments and three offices until the next county administrator is hired. The County Commission is currently reviewing applications for the county’s top administrative job. Bouyounes is not among the applicants.
Bouyounes most recently has served as County Engineer and Assistant County Administrator. He joined Marion County government in 1993, was promoted through the ranks to the role of County Engineer in 2003 and then in 2011 to the dual role of County Engineer and Assistant County Administrator.