Oconee County Administrative Officer Jeff Benko announced at the end of his meeting with department directors this (Wednesday) morning that he plans to retire effective July 1.
Benko, 62, said he informed the members of the Board of Commissioners of his decision on Tuesday.
Benko said he made the decision after discussions with his wife and family and wanted to announce the decision at this time to give the Board “time to recruit, interview and appoint” his successor.
During the next months, Benko said, he will work with the Board of Commissioners to streamline the budget process and provide assistance in development of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget, which will take effect on July 1.
Former Finance Director
Benko became county administrative officer on Sept. 1, 2012, replacing retiring administrative officer Alan Theriault.
Benko 10/27/2015 |
From July 2, 2004, until Sept. 2, 2012, Benko served the county as finance director.
Benko came to the county after a career at the Navy Supply Corps School, which then was in Athens.
He retired as director of the School after a 20-year career in June of 2004.
Benko confirmed his retirement announcement in an email message he sent me this afternoon.
Organizational Chart
All of the county department heads report to Benko as county administrative office except for the finance director.
Benko and Finance Director Wes Geddings report directly to the five members of the Board of Commissioners.
Benko served with Melvin Davis until Davis’ retirement at Chair of the Board of Commissioners at the end of last year.
Benko lives at 1391 Summit Drive outside Watkinsville.
2 comments:
Wish Mr. Benko nothing but the best in retirement. Bless his heart for dealing with Melvin for so many years.
Will never forget this:
http://www.oconeecountyobservations.org/2016/08/expenses-for-mars-hill-road-work.html
Tense Exchanges
The email messages I received from the open records requests contained a number of responses showing tension between Davis and Beshara and between Davis and Benko over the invoices and the repeated efforts to accommodate Dickens.
Beshara reports to Benko in the official chain of command, and Benko reports to the full Board of Commissioners.
On June 22, Davis sent Dickens an email inviting Dickens to join him in a meeting in Davis’ office on June 27. Davis told Dickens that GDOT representatives, Benko, and Beshara would be at the meeting as well.
“Do you know who requested this meeting,” Benko asked Beshara in an email later in the day.
“Obviously the emperor of the universe did,” Beshara responded.
“I like the way I am not even asked if I am available,” Beshara said in another email.
“Me too,” Benko responded.
Jeff, hate to see you go. Good luck and well wishes in your retirement. You will be missed.
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