Jim Davel, who has served as Shawano County administrative coordinator for four years, will retire Jan. 5, 2026.
“I worked for the county for seven years, served in the Army for 30 years,” he said. “It’s just the right time.”
Davel informed members of county’s executive committee earlier this month to give them six months’ notice of his intent to step down.
“I informed the board to give them time to decide if they want to continue with an administrative coordinator, move to an administrator or working chairman,” he said.
According to the Wisconsin Counties Association, three forms of the executive branch in county government exist: county executive, county administrator and county administrative coordinator.
A county executive has the most power. An elected position, he or she appoints and supervises department heads, appoints members to boards and commissions and submits an annul budget. He or she can also veto county board-approved ordinances and resolutions.
A county administrator is the chief administrative officer of a county who coordinates and directs all administrative and management functions of county government. The county administrator also appoints and supervises department heads, appoints members to boards and commissions and submits an annul budget. A county administrator answers to the county board and can be removed by the board.
An administrative coordinator is similar to the county administrator but does not have appointment authority and is responsible for coordinating, rather than coordinating and directing.
His or her duties are similar to those of a city or village administrator who works under a mayor or village president.
Davel was appointed administrative coordinator effective May 19, 2021, according to a county board resolution at the time.
Davel had previously served as the emergency management director for Shawano County, starting in that role Sept. 17, 2018.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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