New Sussex council members learning to do their jobs

As three newly elected Sussex County Council members prepared to take their seats Jan. 7, they were introduced to government operations, staff and relevant laws through an orientation program, but the learning curve is far from over.

“It’s the same with all new members,” said Sussex County Communications Director Chip Guy. “It’s a lot to digest.”

“There were meetings before we got started,” said Councilman Steve McCarron, who now represents District 2. “A lot of that was to familiarize yourself with the process. You want to get to know the directors that you are going to be interacting with. At the end of the day, it was a good overview of what the county does.” 

The five-member council leads a government with about 550 employees and a budget of nearly $266 million that funds services for more than 250,000 people. Among the most significant challenges as they begin their work will be how to control development in the fastest-growing county in the state, an issue that the three new members focused on during their campaigns. 

County Administrator Todd Lawson and Finance Director Gina Jennings led the Dec. 12 orientation for Democrat Jane Gruenebaum and Republicans Matt Lloyd and McCarron, less than a month before they took their oaths of office.

“There are three brand new members,” McCarron said. ”There is institutional knowledge that was lost.”

During the orientation day, new members met department heads to learn about their jobs and the work their departments do.

“It’s just a lot, a lot, a lot of meetings,” said Greunebaum, who represents District 3. “We did have an excellent orientation that Todd Lawson ran for us.”

“We also had some meetings with legal to find out about expectations and our jobs,” McCarron said. “We have to be responsible in how we act and not expose ourselves or the county to any legal issues.”

The orientation process has been tweaked and improved over the years, Guy said.

“It’s gotten more involved, a lot more structured,” he said.

In recent years, a binder was created that serves as a reference, he said. It includes budget information, overviews of departments and other information.

“It gives them a summary, a playbook,” Guy said.

While the orientation is a start, their on-the-job education continues long afterward. There are typically about 36 council meetings a year.

“Learning the process probably takes six months to a year to get a firm handle on what goes on,” Guy said, adding council members will learn more throughout their tenures as they handle many issues. “There is a lot that is going to come at them.”

McCarron said the orientation was a good start and he has had additional discussions with department heads on issues facing the county. 

Gruenebaum said she has also had many meetings with constituents, local businesses and others.

“People have reached out to me to let me know what they are working on and what their concerns are,” she said. “It’s a lot and it’s a lot very quickly. My calendar is pretty darn full for the foreseeable future.”

She said the incumbent council members have been very helpful in answering questions and showing her and the other new members how the government operates.

“It’s a great education,” Gruenebaum said. “I wish I could record it and put it online. People would be fascinated about the things I’m learning.”

Lloyd was not available to comment  

Council President Doug Hudson asked that each council member draft a list of proposed priorities for the coming year. They are expected to be discussed at the next meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, as the panel begins to determine which to focus on first.

McCarron said land use and developing a plan to address the needs of fire departments are among the issues he anticipates council will consider this year.

“For the council to move ahead, we have to agree on the direction we want to go,” he said.

The issues the county addresses this year will lay the groundwork for the next county comprehensive plan, expected to be adopted in 2028, McCarron said.

“The discussions we’re having this year will roll right into a comprehensive plan update,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a busy year.”