Charles Douts Jr. Selected as New County Administrator

Charles "Charlie" Douts, a member of the Lancaster County Planning Commission, and veteran of municipal government, has been selected as the County of Lancaster's new Administrator, a position left vacant since the sudden departure of Mark Esterbrook in April.

Commissioner Chairman Dennis Stuckey announced Douts' selection in a brief statement, Wednesday morning.

Besides sitting on the County Planning Commission for seven years including two as chairman, Douts is also the current Manager of West Hempfield Township - a position he has held for 20 years.

Douts said "it was a very difficult decision to leave" public service in West Hempfield Township, but is "looking forward to serving the residents of the County" and tackling the "challenges this Board has inherited" in his new role.

While the details have yet to be solidified, Douts said that he is tentatively scheduled to start on July 22.

"I believe that Charlie has all the skills to be an excellent County Administrator," said Commissioner Craig Lehman, a sentiment echoed by all three Commissioners.

In addition to his years of experience, Charlie Douts also holds a Master's Degree in Urban & Regional Planning.

One regular at County Commissioners meetings, who did not lend his name to publication, called the selection of Douts "not who I was expecting" but "a good choice."