Dorsey Named as Temporary Replacement for Homan

County Budget and Finance Director Keith Dorsey has been named acting county administrative officer in the wake of an accident that has temporarily disabled Fred Homan.

Ellen Kobler, a county spokeswoman, said Wednesday that the County Council was notified of Dorsey's temporary appointment.

Homan was injured in a on Saturday. Police today released 911 and dispatch calls to Patch Thursday as the result of a Public Information Act request.

The County Charter provides for a line of succession that states the budget and finance director is to succeed the county administrative officer in the event of a vacancy or temporary disability.

County Charter section 405 C:

Temporary absence of county executive. During the temporary disability or absence from the county of the county executive, the county administrative officer shall serve as acting county executive. If both the county executive and the county administrative officer are temporarily disabled or absent from the county, the director of the budget, as the acting county administrative officer, shall also serve as acting county executive, unless the county council designates the head of another office in the administrative services, or the director of public works to serve as acting county executive... (Bill No. 80, 1978, § 1) (Approved by voters Nov. 7, 1978; effective Dec. 8, 1978)

The county administrative officer is arguably the second most powerful position in the county. The appointed position is responsible for the day-to-day management of the county including the budget. Department heads, though appointed by the county executive, answer directly to the administrative officer while that position answers only to the executive.

The administrative officer is next in line to become county executive should there be a vacancy.

The last time that happened was in 1974 when Fred Dewberry became acting county executive replacing Dale Anderson, who stepped down in the face of corruption charges.

The county has remained silent on the extent of Homan's injuries. He was transferred from Shock Trauma earlier this week.

County officials will not comment on the transfer but it was announced during a county pension board meeting that Homan, a member of the board, was transferred to Kernan Hospital.