Benton County hires new administrator. Construction starts on $13.6M office

Benton County has a new leader just as construction is about to start on a new administration building.

Jerrod B. MacPherson was introduced as county administrator by the county commissioners last week in an email to the “community and media partners.”

MacPherson had been the county planning manager for several years.

He fills the spot vacated by longtime administrator David Sparks, who retired Sept. 30.

The position was temporarily held by then-deputy county administrator Loretta Smith-Kelty, but she suddenly was placed on leave after less than a month. No reason was given.

That’s when MacPherson was named interim county administrator. He officially was offered the job of county administrator less than two months later in December.

His employment agreement took effect Jan. 1 and is good for one year with an annual salary of $150,000.

The county announcement says MacPherson has more than 25 years of local government experience

He was the planning and building department director for Franklin County when County Administrator Fred Bowen left in 2015.

MacPherson served as the interim administrator but told Franklin commissioners he did not want the job permanently.

In late 2016, he moved across the river to head up the Benton County Planning Department.

MacPherson’s employment agreement includes “step back protection,” which means he can return to his previous position as planning manager if his one-year contract is not extended or he chooses to voluntarily resign.

Commission Chairman Jim Beaver says MacPherson was his clear choice for administrator because of his leadership and his focus on coming up with solutions for county problems and trying to move everyone forward.

“We, as well as our department managers and staff, are excited for this new opportunity and to continue building good working relationships with our internal and eternal partners,” the commissioners said in their introduction email.

“We look forward to the continued development and progress of the county under Jerrod’s leadership and wish him the best in his new role.”

Limited parking during construction

MacPherson assumes the top post as the county is about to build a new county administration building.

The 7122 W. Okanogan Place building, on the Justice Center campus, will house not only the commissioners and multiple administration departments, but also the offices of the auditor, assessor and treasurer.

The county says the goal of consolidating those offices in the new building is to create a “one-stop shop in the Tri-Cities for all of your licensing, recording and property needs.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday, and Banlin Construction of Kennewick has been awarded the $13.6 million contract.

The project has been in the works for 1 1/2 years, and construction is expected to last 15 to 18 months.

Parking at the Justice Center will be affected for at least the next three months while crews prepare the empty lot, which is near Belfair Street and Rio Grande Avenue.

Visitors to the campus — which includes District Court, Superior Court, the jail and multiple county offices, like clerk, prosecutor and sheriff — will only be able to access the buildings via Okanogan Place. That entrance faces the Three Rivers Transit Center and the Toyota Center.

The Young Street entrance toward the north will be closed, which will include limited access to the Benton Franklin Health District building.

The county is encouraging visitors to carpool or take public transportation during the initial phase of construction. Overflow parking will be available across Okanogan Place at the Toyota Center.