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The SEA's personnel committee completed the evaluation Dec. 6, based upon board members' individual evaluations of Benish's job performance. The committee gave him an overall score of 2.52 out of a possible 4 point.

At the Dec. 13 board meeting, the SEA voted to make the director's position three days a week instead of full-time, which will save the organization about $20,000 a year and help to balance the budget. The reduction will take effect Jan. 1, and the board will review the decision in 90 days.

"His evaluation was considered as part of the over all evaluation of where the organization is at. It was part of the part-time decision," stated Interim Board Chairman Clint Holmes.

According to Holmes, the SEA budget is relatively small and does not provide much flexibility. The goal of the SEA is to provide the maximum amount of service as efficiently as possible. As the economy of Sanilac County and Michigan spirals deeper into an economic downturn, and as the struggle for market share continues for the American automotive industry, SEA must reorganize in order to continue operations with a potentially shrinking budget.

He said, "the leadership of SEA, after careful study and without many alternatives, decided as a first step to change the position of SEA Director".

While this may have some negative impact on job creation in Sanilac County, ultimately this decision is an economic one.

The board will closely monitor the organization's financial situation and continue the work to bring jobs and businesses to Sanilac County.

Other cost cutting efforts include reduced office hours, and the administrative assistant already works three days a week. The office will be open Monday through Wednesday. The board meeting will continue to be held the second Thursday of the month.

Holmes said the evaluation covered six areas of job performance: relationship with the SEA Board (2.32); program development and long range planning (2.65) management skills and abilities (2.31); personal and professional attributes (2.7); fiscal management (2.4); and community and public relations (2.69). Benish averaged halfway between "Met Requirements" and "Exceeded Requirements."

Holmes said there were two areas the board specially addressed.

"Finance was a big one, we're not getting the money. I think it is the economy," he noted.

"Personal and professional attributes was another. He continues to have issues with the county (commissioners). We're still trying to get those addressed," Holmes stated.

The county allocates $30,000 a year to the SEA, and did not distribute the last $20,000 until almost the end of the year.

The board did commend Benish on his successful efforts to win a $50,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for SEA.

Benish will continue to work with SEA's partners and toward expanding SEA membership. He is also working closely with Lansing to bring more grants and economic incentives to Sanilac County.

In another cost-cutting move, the SEA will move to another office down the hall in the health department building for an annual savings of $3,000. Holmes said the deal includes use of the current conference room.

In other business, the board re-appointed Holmes, the city manager of Brown City, for another year as interim chairman His two-year term as city-village representative was due to expire Dec. 31. In addition, they will appoint another city-village representative in January to increase the local government representation. Local governments contribute about 40% of the SEA's budget, and Holmes and County Commissioner James Ruby were the only government representatives.

The SEA is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is the continued economic development of Sanilac County.

SEA has been very successful is helping to create a large number of area jobs. The governing board is made up of unpaid volunteers from local and county government, business and agriculture in Sanilac County. The organization has many partners throughout Sanilac County and relies on grants and contributions from the membership to be able to bring in new business and expand existing businesses.