The commissioners had contracted up to $14,500 for the national search and had reviewed 19 other applications for the position just last week .
“Since June, the commissioners have been impressed by Joe’s leadership skills in his role as interim county administrator,” Dodge said. “When we reviewed the applications, we all came to the same conclusion.”
Tuss will earn $175,000 a year.
The county administrator is responsible for a nearly $800 million budget and oversees the Department of Job and Family Services, Community and Economic Development, environmental and administrative services, the Office of Family and Children First and Stillwater Center, home to the county's most disabled citizens.
Tuss joined the county team in 2001 as community and economic development director leading initiatives such as the $70 million Austin Interchange Project and the $17.3 million Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Before working for the county, Tuss was the economic development director for the city of Dayton.
One county official, Auditor Karl Keith, said he was shocked at the County Commission's choice, because Tuss's focus has been centered solely on economic development
“In the years he’s been here, his focus has been so narrow. In my experience, when I have had a conversation with him regarding property taxes, he seemed pretty disinterested,” Keith said. “It’s a big part of county government. I don’t know that he has a good understanding of that.”
County Clerk of Courts Gregory A. Brush said he supports the commission's choice and likes to see the county promote from within.
“(Tuss) has always demonstrated a willingness to listen and he had a good grasp on the issues that I talked to him about,” Brush said.
Former Montgomery County Administrator Don Vermillion, who now teaches at the University of Dayton and directs public projects for the university's Fitz Center, assisted with the county search. Dodge said she doesn't regret taxpayer dollars spent on the effort.
“You never know what’s out there, until you look,” said Dodge, adding the county expects to get billed by UD for about 75 percent of the $14,500 fee.
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