ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – It has been more than two months since the former Delta County Airport manager stepped down from his position. On Monday, the Airport Advisory Board named his replacement.
County Administrator Ashleigh Young has been selected as the next airport manager, at the recommendation of the County Hiring Committee. Young is currently acting as interim manager—her second time doing so—and recently passed a management certification test.
Earlier this month, the Advisory Board’s top two candidates turned down offers for the position. Compared to the remaining candidates, Advisory Board Chair Brian Herioux believes Young is the best fit.
“She has been very plugged into our airport,” Herioux said. “She’s been working side by side with our last couple of managers, so there’s going to be a sense of continuity there. She would be able to keep us going forward, and it’s going to be a shorter learning curve than bringing in someone new would be.”
The Delta County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Monday to vote on the Airport Advisory Board’s decision. Although all five commissioners voted in favor, a question about compensation for the position did arise.
The Hiring Committee recommended a salary of $85,000 for Young. According to Commissioner Kelli Van Ginhoven, that amount was a “hardline” for Young. Commissioner Christine Williams asked the Airport Advisory Board to explain the recommended salary to the public, noting that previous airport manager Robert Ranstadler was making $60,000 when he resigned.
“I think [Ranstadler] asked for… $10,000, so he would’ve been making $70,000 and we didn’t give that to him,” Williams said. “We let him leave, and now we’re bringing in someone at $25,000 more than what he was making.”
Herioux replied that Ranstadler asked for a raise after the budget cycle, saying he had an opportunity to include a raise for himself in the budget.
“He did not do that,” said Herioux. “I’m not going to speculate on his reasons. The truth is, [Ranstadler] left for more than money… I polled on the local airports for, ‘Hey, what does your head person make?’ and even at $85,000, we’re below what our peer airports are.”
Young and the County are scheduled to finalize negotiations later this week. If an agreement is reached, the County Commission will have to begin the process of finding a new administrator.
