Cohesiveness

between the Fayette County Commission and county

staff will be Chris Cofty's main focus for the

next six months, he said.

"It

was kind of a surprise to me," Cofty said

after the commission voted to continue his status

as interim county administrator for at least six

months.

After

the trial period, commissioners will decide

whether to offer him the job permanently, and if

they do, Cofty will decide whether he wants it.

Commissioners

appointed Cofty to fill in after firing former

County Administrator Billy Beckett June 26, and

have scheduled discussions of launching a search

for a new administrator at three different

commission meetings, tabling the matter the first

two times.

During

last week's meeting, commissioners said they

aren't in any hurry to set up a nationwide

search.

"Because

of the calibre of our staff from top to bottom,

everything is rolling along just fine," said

commission Chairman Harold Bost. "I have not

been in any hurry to pursue this matter, and I am

still not in any hurry."

Commissioner

Herb Frady added he believes Cofty is doing a

good job. "I don't mind waiting a little

longer, and I would hesitate to reach out too

far," he said, adding that he prefers to

promote from within the organization.

The

smooth transition, Bost said, "is a tribute

to everybody... every employee at every

level."

Cofty

agreed. "Our employees in general are

superb. We've got some great staff people

here," he said.

His

main goal, Cofty said, is to run the county's day

to day operations in a businesslike manner.

"We need to show that we are spending the

tax dollars the best way we can, taking a careful

look at the budgeted items to make sure we don't

buy a Cadillac when we only needed a

Chevrolet," he said.

Cofty

isn't sure whether he'll be a candidate for the

permanent job when his six months probation

period is over, but he is enjoying the work so

far, he said.

"I

always enjoyed working with Billy," he

added. "Billy is a super guy."

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