Clermont County Commissioners named Thomas Eigel the new county administrator. From left, Commissioner David Uible, County Administrator Tom Eigel, Commissioner David Painter, Commissioner Ed Humphrey.
Clermont County Commissioners named Thomas Eigel the new county administrator. From left, Commissioner David Uible, County Administrator Tom Eigel, Commissioner David Painter, Commissioner Ed Humphrey.

Clermont County Commissioners today (Feb. 21) named a new county administrator. Thomas J. Eigel, who had been interim county administrator, was named to the top position.

Eigel, 48, who reports directly to the Commissioners, is responsible for the budget and operations of all county departments that fall within the purview of the Commissioners. These include the Water Resources Department, the Building Inspection Department, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Public Safety Services Department, the Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Job & Family Services. More than 400 employees work for these various departments.

“We have several challenges in front of us,” Eigel said. “I am confident that we can meet them. We have a strong team in place, and I am thankful to the staff for all the help they gave me during this transition period.”

Eigel became assistant county administrator in 2012. He came to the county with more than 15 years of experience in the government and nonprofit sectors. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Cincinnati in Political Science in 1993, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Northern Kentucky University in 2003.

Board President Ed Humphrey commended Eigel. “As both assistant and then interim county administrator, Tom Eigel has demonstrated the qualities of strong leadership and effective management,” he said. “He knows Clermont County, so there is no learning curve. Tom will keep us on a sound path fiscally, and will make sure that we are moving forward with initiatives that will help Clermont County continue to grow.”

Eigel said that he would be focusing on several large capital projects the county is embarking on in 2018. “And we’ll be looking for ways to make the county more customer friendly,” Eigel said. “All of our departments will be engaged in this.”

Said Commissioner David Painter, Vice President of the Board, “Tom has been a strong partner to the Commissioners. He is committed to serving our citizens. Tom will ensure that our departments continue to innovate, whether that is in adopting new technology or supporting best practices.”

“Tom’s dedication to Clermont County and its government has long been apparent,” said Commissioner David Uible. “He has been instrumental in some of our biggest initiatives, including the launch and continuation of the Community Alternative Sentencing Center. We’re looking forward to the next chapter with Tom as County Administrator.”

Eigel replaces Steve Rabolt, who retired as county administrator last August. Eigel said that the search for an assistant county administrator was in progress.