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Veteran county fire official will lead 911
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The lengthy search to fill an important county position concluded Monday when the Barton County Commission voted to appoint veteran county fire official Doug Hubbard as the new county communications director.
Hubbard was one of five applicants the commissioners interviewed, according to County Administrator Richard Boeckman.
Those considerations concluded Monday during a short executive session, which included Hubbard.
Boeckman said the commissioners had a difficult choice. “There were five good applicants.”
Hubbard has been active in county emergency services for several years, serving as the Claflin Emergency Medical Services director.
He will start to work for the county Feb. 28, but will be active even before then, working with the 911 staff when he can and going to training to prepare for the new position, which will pay $45,000 per year, the county administrator reported. That is below what had been budgeted for that position, Boeckman added.
Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz commented she was pleased to see the county able to hire from within and to get someone who is already familiar with the area and the emergency personnel.
She added the county will also be looking to Hubbard’s administrative experience to help provide leadership and to develop grants to help extend communications funding.
Hubbard said he appreciates the confidence the commissioners have placed in him and the opportunity to lead the continued growth and development of the communications department.
Hubbard’s appointment was approved with Commissioner John Edmonds abstaining from the vote.