Traverse City News and Events

Commissioners Unanimously Vote To Hire Oak Park City Manager As County Admin

By Beth Milligan | July 20, 2017

Grand Traverse County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to hire Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate as the next county administrator.

All seven commissioners named Tungate their top choice following a nearly four hour-long interview process with three candidates for the county’s top position. County Administrator Tom Menzel is set to retire at the end of 2017.

Prior to serving as Oak Park’s city manager – a position he’s held since 2012 – Tungate was acting city manager of Hamtramck, development officer for Wayne County and a senior project manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). He has a Bachelor of General Business from Western Michigan University and a M.B.A. from Wayne State University.

Tungate highlighted his experience and background in economic development throughout his interview, including when asked by commissioners about the opportunities and challenges he saw in Grand Traverse County. “I’ve worked at the county, city and state levels with the MEDC in economic development…so I look at most things through that lens,” he said. “I immediately think about the amazing economic development potential in this community. There are only a few places in this entire state or country…that have the raw assets and good bones that exist here.”

Tungate called the county’s pension debt the biggest challenge facing commissioners. “We have some long-term liabilities that are major challenges,” he said. “The pension system is at a very dangerous position.” When asked his stance on bonding the county’s pension debt – a contentious topic among commissioners – Tungate noted the county has a AA bond rating and said the board should at least “thoroughly evaluate” the option. But he also said attempting to grow the region’s tax base could help address some of the county’s budget woes.

“You ought to demand the EDC play a bigger role in this community immediately,” Tungate said. “The only way I know how to long-term sustain and grow is to economically develop your county.” The candidate said Grand Traverse County needed to determine its identity and what it wants to be when it grows up, whether a metropolitan area or a “tourist destination only.”

“There’s a crossroads here,” Tungate said. “That’s a compelling case for someone like me, who professionally manages a city.”

Commissioners responded positively to Tungate’s noting that Oak Park created the state’s first public safety department – with all officers trained in fire, police and EMS capabilities – and his assertion that maintaining open, respectful communication was one of his top priorities, whether with commissioners, the public or employees.

“You’re going to hear a common theme from me, and that’s communication,” he said. “There are over 500 employees who work in the county government. That’s 500 or so people, including yourselves by the way, who have dedicated their lives as public servants to making this place a better place than when they found it. If they’re willing to do that…they deserve my respect and vice versa.”

Commissioners Wednesday also interviewed Vicki Uppal, the county administrator of Washington County in Mississippi, and former Garrison Commander Colonel Thomas Perison of Camp Grayling Joint Military Training Center for the county administrator position. The board expressed their pleasure with all three of the candidates presented by executive search firm GovHR USA. But commissioners felt Tungate’s depth of experience, knowledge of Michigan politics and skillsets in various governmental functions made him the best fit for the job.

“All the things we’ve discussed, he’s been there, done that,” said Commissioner Dan Lathrop. “Plus he’s very familiar with Michigan and Michigan’s ways. He’s a very strong candidate.” Chair Carol Crawford agreed, calling Tungate a “standout.” Commissioner Bob Johnson said the candidate “was hands down the one who could hit the ground running here.”

County commissioners will next need to negotiate a contract with Tungate. Commissioner Cheryl Gore Follette asked GovHR USA Vice President Jaymes Vettraino if Tungate was in the running for any other positions elsewhere. “We’re not going to get into a bidding war?” she asked.

“Let me say it this way: He’s not under obligation for any other contract,” said Vettraino. “He’s currently employed, so I don’t have knowledge about that situation.” Tungate and other candidates had already left the meeting at the time of the commission’s hiring discussion, but Vettraino said he believed Tungate’s “very interested in the position. I think you’re going to have an opportunity to engage in a useful negotiation.”

Candidates agreed to have Crawford and Deputy Civil Counsel Chris Forsyth lead the negotiation process with Tungate, with final contract approval to come from the board. Commissioners may hold an upcoming study session to discuss negotiation terms – which could occur in closed session – and to review changes they want to make to Menzel’s job description and contract for the next administrator. Crawford said she would speak to Tungate Thursday about his timeline for being able to start in Grand Traverse County.

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