MetCom Executive Director Scott Bundy at a recent budget hearing
California, MD – The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) has been thrust into turmoil again with the unexpected resignation of their executive director, Scott Bundy, who had only been on the job for a little over six months. Bundy announced his resignation at the start of MetCom’s June 9 meeting. Commission Chairman Steve Willing said the announcement caught them by surprise.
MetCom is the county’s water and sewer authority. Its members are appointed by the county commissioners but it operates somewhat autonomously.
Bundy, in making the announcement, said the current situation at MetCom presented him with some challenges and added that he’s “better off seeking something else.” Bundy was thrown into the middle of a deeply divided board over the employment of their attorney, Jacquelyn Meiser. The board voted 3-2 last month to eliminate the full-time attorney position and develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an attorney to work 20 hours a week.
The vote on the attorney came with only six members present. Willing, who can only vote to break a tie, thus could not vote. Willing supported Meiser. He said after the June 9 meeting that Bundy stated specifically that his decision to resign did not have anything to do with the Meiser controversy.
Meiser was formerly the executive director and legal counsel. But a bill passed the Maryland General Assembly prohibiting one person from holding both positions. Meiser was given the option of choosing one over the other and she chose to continue as attorney with the additional title of Public Information Officer. She also was allowed to have an outside practice.
Meiser makes more than $170,000 a year from MetCom, more than what Bundy is making. Her salary was an issue in the majority board decision to do away with her position.
Bundy refused to comment to The BayNet on his resignation, referring instead to a written resignation letter that had been presented to the board. Upon consultation with Meiser, Willing declined to release the letter. Meiser said it was a personnel matter.
But Willing did tell The BayNet that Bundy’s decision did involve how the board is operating. Board Vice Chairman Bob Russell added that Bundy said the actions of the board “as a unit” made it difficult for him to operate.
In making the resignation announcement, Bundy said the board had failed to define what Meiser’s duties were and thus make an assessment as to whether she was performing her duties. He said he attempted to get the board to articulate those duties during an executive session that followed the board decision to eliminate the position. Bundy said he got no direction from the board on that matter.
The board was expected to discuss at the June 9 meeting interviews of applicants for the vacant deputy director position. Bundy suggested that the process be put on hold until a new executive director is hired. The board will review the resumes to see if “any name pops out” that could be considered for the executive director position, according to member Mike Thompson. But Bundy said the board should also advertise specifically for the executive director position.
The board did decide during one of two executive sessions held at the June 9 meeting to tentatively accept Bundy’s proposal for an RFP for the attorney position, but it will be sent to an independent legal counsel for review.
Bundy told the board he would be willing to stay on for a short period of time. Willing told The BayNet that Bundy said in his resignation letter that his last day would be September 30.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com