Georgetown, Del., Jan. 18, 2011: Sussex County Administrator David Baker will retire from County government this spring, capping more than three decades of service to the people of Sussex County that has seen balanced budgets, prestigious financial awards and the expansion of critical sewer service among his greatest accomplishments.
Mr. Baker, at the Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, meeting of County Council, announced he will step away from County government later this year, ending his nearly 33-year career that began in April 1978 in the Accounting division and eventually took him to the County’s top appointed administrative position. Mr. Baker has not yet set an official end date.
“Sussex County is a great place to live and work, and I am sincerely thankful for the opportunities you have provided me here,” Mr. Baker said in reading a letter to County Council and the public. “I have made many friends during my tenure here and have enjoyed the many challenges we have faced. Having worked here for 32 years, I have seen many changes for the betterment of our residents, and I am absolutely sure that many more will occur in the future with your leadership.”
As County Administrator, Mr. Baker has managed a staff of nearly 500 County employees and directed the day-to-day operations of the local government. The County Administrator is appointed by County Council and is responsible for, among other duties, making recommendations to the County Council, preparing and submitting the annual budget, and carrying out the policies and laws set forth by the Council.
Mr. Baker became County Administrator on Nov. 1, 2006, the fifth administrator since the Delaware General Assembly granted Sussex County home rule in the early 1970s, converting the old Levy Court into the current Sussex County Council.
Prior to becoming County Administrator, Mr. Baker served 14 years as the County’s Finance Director, overseeing all County finances. He began his career with County government in April 1978 as the director of the Accounting division. A native Delawarean, he is a graduate of the University of Delaware and Wilmington College, and holds bachelor’s degrees in both accounting and sociology, as well as a master’s in business administration.
Mr. Baker can count many achievements among his works at County government, both as Finance Director and County Administrator. These include a reputation for developing balanced, sensible annual budgets, which have earned numerous national awards for financial reporting; the adoption of and implementation of the County’s 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update; the County’s procurement of more than $50 million in federal ‘stimulus’ funding to expand sewer service in the Angola, Johnson’s Corner, Miller Creek and Millville districts; overseeing growth in the County’s industrial park and airport; the addition of open space for future wastewater needs; launching a partnership with Delaware Tech to create a new airframe maintenance program for aviation students; directing the purchase of land near the Nanticoke River for a future dredging site and public park; earning an upgrade in the County’s bond rating to Aa; steering the County toward full funding of its pension fund; and most importantly working with a talented, dedicated staff that has made all the County’s successes possible.
“I am sure that our outstanding staff exhibiting Sussex County’s strong work ethic will continue to make you proud. Our staff has adapted to many changes over the last several years in response to the state of economy,” Mr. Baker said. “… They recognize the plight of our residents and are doing more with less. I am proud of County staff. They are dedicated to providing outstanding service to our residents.”
County Council President Michael H. Vincent expressed the County’s appreciation for – and regret at the close to – Mr. Baker’s nearly 33 years of public service, in particular his leadership and guidance during his time as County Administrator. Council President Vincent said Mr. Baker’s departure will leave a tremendous void for the County government, one that can be filled, but never truly replaced.
“It has been a true pleasure to work with Dave Baker as our County Administrator as he is truly a public servant of the highest degree,” Council President Vincent said. “We certainly wish David and his family well in his retirement, and we truly realize that he will be sorely missed by the entire county.”
In the four months ahead, Mr. Baker will remain on as County Administrator as County leaders now begin their search for his replacement. County Council, which appoints the County Administrator at its pleasure, will conduct a search and interview applicants in hopes that a successor will be in place sometime early this spring, before Mr. Baker’s eventual retirement.
Mr. Baker has agreed to remain in place to help train the next County Administrator, which comes at a critical time as the County will begin crafting next year’s budget later this winter. County leaders are confident a timely search will provide the County with an individual who has the right skills and background to make the transition.
As for Mr. Baker, he intends to spend more time with his wife, Sandy, their four grown sons, and five grandchildren as he makes his own transition from public figure to private citizen. He plans to invest some time and his strong financial background by helping one of his sons with a new business, as well as doing some volunteer work and traveling.
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