New Sedgwick County manager starts Monday

Brig. Gen. Michael Scholes will begin work as the Sedgwick County manager on Monday.

Scholes and his wife, Jessica, attended their first County Commission meeting last week.

“We bought a house, so it’s official, we’re digging in and I’ve got the battle scars to prove it unpacking boxes and getting kids to school,” he said, holding out his hands.

Scholes was hired by county commissioners in early September over three other candidates.

Sedgwick County had been searching for a new manager, the highest non-elected position in county government, since before Bill Buchanan retired in June; he had held the job since 1991.

Ron Holt, who served as acting county manager, will return to his previous role as assistant county manager.

Scholes joined the military through the North Carolina National Guard. He was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm and later served in a myriad of leadership positions in several southern states. Much of his work focused on coordinating disaster responses.

He most recently served as the chief of staff of U.N. peacekeeping forces in the southeastern European nation of Kosovo.

This will be his first job in local government. He will officially retire from military in January.

Scholes will be paid $165,000 in 2016 and $185,000 in 2017 if his performance is satisfactory, according to his contract.

He and his wife have five children. Their 9-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter will go to school in Wichita.

“We’re honored to be here and we’re excited about the opportunity and excited to be Sedgwick County citizens,” Scholes told commissioners.

He will receive employee training on Monday and preside over a staff meeting Tuesday. His first County Commission meeting won’t be until Nov. 18; there is no meeting this Wednesday because of Veterans Day.

This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "New Sedgwick County manager starts Monday."