County finds new director — after pay increase

Maybe the few extra dollars made the difference.

In January the Salt Lake County Council rejected three applicants for county personnel director, a job that paid up to $93,864. At the time, the council blamed low salary promises for the lack of qualified applicants.

Now, with the promise of a $95,000 annual salary, the county has lured John Mathews from the state's Department of Human Services.

Then again, it could be the salary range that deterred applicants for the job. In January, $93,864 was the top of the pay scale for a position that started at $63,408. Mathews' $95,000 salary falls near the middle of the new range, giving him room to move up if he impresses his bosses.

"We're very pleased Mr. Mathews has accepted our offer," Mayor Peter Corroon said in a statement. "His skills and experience will play an enormous role in the future of Salt Lake County."

A law passed this year by the Legislature changed the personnel director hiring process, said April Townsend, chief of the county's Department of Administrative Services. Before, a Career Service Council whittled down the pool of applicants before ultimately recommending three to five people to the County Council. The councilwould then pick the person for the job.

The new legislation allows the county's top administrator — Corroon — to pick the personnel director, with the council confirming his choice.

Mathews' job responsibilities include recruiting, screening and hiring most of the 4,000 county workers. During the summer, the county employs nearly 7,500 people.

He spent three decades in personnel work with the state.

Mathews replaces Felix McGowan, who retired in February. Last fall, McGowan was placed on administrative leave following an auditor's report citing nepotism and improper hiring practices. The report also concluded McGowan did not curb those practices nor appropriately discipline workers.

Another report criticized McGowan for failing to curb abuse of the county's tuition program, which an audit found was rife with sloppy accounting and improper administration.

McGowan said the audits had nothing to do with his retirement. He said he left to take care of ailing family members in Texas.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com