NEWARK − David Edelblute, who left his job with Licking County courts six years ago for a job with the Ohio Supreme Court, will return to a new position of Licking County administrator.
On Tuesday, the Licking County Commissioners hired Edelblute, who will begin in the new role Oct. 7, making a salary of $150,000.
Edelblute, 60, has served for six years as the manager of the Children and Families Section at the Supreme Court. Before his current job, Edelblute served for 21 years as court administrator for the probate and juvenile divisions of the Licking County Common Pleas Court.
“I was honored to be asked,” Edelblute said. “It seemed like a good fit for me, with my familiarity with the operations of the county. It would be a capstone of my career.”
Bev Adzic, the current clerk/administrator for the county commissioners since 2007, said she may retire at the end of the year. Her current salary is $92,237. She is the only person to serve as clerk/administrator and the second-longest in the clerk role.
"I've been priviledged to serve here most of my career," Adzic said. "It's been quite rewarding, personally."
The commissioners office includes five employees, including a compliance officer and a fiscal officer. Someone other than Edelbute will handle the clerk duties of Adzic's current job.
"We've modified the job description," County Commissioner Tim Bubb said. "He's not going to be our clerk. As people move on, we'll rethink how we use our current staff.
“Originally, the auditor was the clerk. Then a staff member was the clerk. And then Bev was in a hybrid position. This is just taking it to the next logical step.”
Bubb said commissioners' duties will not change, but Edelblute will perform some of the daily duties. Bubb is joined by Duane Flowers and Rick Black on the three-member board of commissioners.
"We're still the budgeting authority," Bubb said. "Our responsibilities don't go away at all. It's just the nuts and bolts of day-to-day operations, including personnel. He knows a lot of the elected officials already. He's a known quantity. He'll hit the ground running."
Edelblute said the commissioners approached him about the job after they decided to modify the position.
"I have had conversations with the commssioners over the years when I'd run into them and they'd say you need to come back here sometime," Edelblute said. "It had been hinted at over the years to come back in some type of leadership role in Licking County government, so it was in the back of my mind, but I didn't know if it'd ever occur."
During his two decades with the Licking County, Edelblute implemented operations and programs in the areas of policy, fiscal, personnel and public relations.
He said he was happy in his job with the Supreme Court and would only leave for something in Licking County.
Edelblute’s professional career has been dedicated to the service of children and families, and the administration of operations. He began as an executive for the Boy Scouts of America, specializing in goal setting, organizational development and project management.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Denison University and a master's from Ohio State University.
kmallett@newarkadvocate.com
740-973-4539
Twitter: @kmallett1958
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County Commissioners hire David Edelblute as new administrator, starting Oct. 7
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