In her second month as a Richland County commissioner, Marilyn John has been busy adjusting to her new role while learning as much as she can on the job. So far, it’s been a positive experience.
“I’m enjoying it a lot,” said John. “It’s definitely something new, but still some of what I was doing before is helpful in this role.”
John was officially sworn in as Richland County Commissioner on Dec. 29, 2014, with her first day in office on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. She noted the commissioners’ office has been busy this time of year with budget hearings from various county departments.
“They’ve done that a little bit for my benefit,” said John. “All the departments are coming in and giving a 101 on their department – what they’ve done and what their day-to-day looks like and what their needs and wants are for the budget – so that when we look at the budget total I can have a good grasp on what each department does.”
Budget discussions is familiar to John as the former mayor of Shelby, especially considering the county’s budget is similar in size to the city of Shelby’s. In addition to budget hearings, John has started acquainting herself with other county departments including 911, central purchasing and the EMA directors.
“It’s been very good to be able to get out to those departments and learn their systems and learn what really is going on as far as country government goes,” she said.
John has also been out and about in the community as a sitting member of various boards, including the Richland County Development Group leadership board, Braintree and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. She said her past relationships with these organizations as well as with a large number of the county’s mayors has proved very useful in this new role.
“I did a lot of economic development representing the city of Shelby, now I’m doing a lot of those same things but representing a different office,” said John. “One of my goals is to really encourage more communication amongst the county elected officials and municipal and township elected officials. I had great rapport with the other mayors so I really want to continue that, they’ve been a huge support to me over the last five years.”
In February John will head to new commissioner training with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, where she will cover topics including county employment basics, county procurement and county budgeting basics. While there has been a lot to learn, John said her fellow commissioners Tim Wert and Gary Utt as well as other county elected officials have been more than helpful.
“I don’t feel overwhelmed at all,” said John. “It’s been a wonderful transition, I feel like I haven’t skipped a beat.”
“I don’t feel overwhelmed at all,” said John. “It’s been a wonderful transition, I feel like I haven’t skipped a beat.”
