San Juan County hires new administrator

Mack McDonald has been hired as the new San Juan County Administrator.  The hiring was approved at the August 20 meeting of the San Juan County Commission.

Commission Chair Kenneth Maryboy announced that the county went through an extensive recruitment and evaluation process. 

“We are excited to bring Mack on,” said Maryboy.  “He has a lot of county administration experience, strong connections to southern Utah, and will hit the ground running here in San Juan County.”

Commissioners said the starting salary is $107,500.  McDonald will be eligible for five percent increases at six months, twelve months, and 24 months.

In addition, the contract approved moving expenses of $8,000. It is an at-will contract with a severance option.

McDonald has nearly 18 years of government experience.  He has been a project manager for the Salt Lake City redevelopment agency and an advisor for the United States Department of State.

For five years, McDonald was director of the Utah Department of Human Services, Bureau of Administrative Support

Since 2015, McDonald has been the Director of Facilities Management in Davis County.  

He has extensive experience with public agency budgets, emergency operations and preparedness, risk management, facility and project management, and public engagement. 

“I enjoy creating efficiencies in government in an effort to reduce costs, plan and prepare for the future, and to assist the public at large,” said McDonald. 

Born and raised in Kanab, McDonald and his wife are looking forward to returning to a small town setting. His family includes ten children, six of which still live at home.  He also has two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and one granddaughter. 

McDonald’s first day with San Juan County will be September 23, 2019.