Former Planning Director Phil Bakke will enjoy a wholly different vantage point during Monday’s Board of Island County Commissioners’ meeting.

Bakke was appointed to the District 1 position Wednesday evening by commissioners John Dean and Mac McDowell.

The standing-room-only crowd was a melting pot of planners, auditor’s office staff and politically-minded citizens anxious to find out how everything would shake out. Following the interviews, the audience waited for Dean and McDowell to conclude deliberations and make the announcement. A combination of groans and cheers filled the commissioners’ hearing room when Dean made the motion to appoint the planning director.

Bakke, a South Whidbey High School graduate, has spent 12 years with the county, eight of them at the planning helm. Effective yesterday, he took over the position vacated by longtime commissioner Mike Shelton, who took a job in Olympia.

“Wow,” Bakke said Thursday once the dust settled. “This is a great feeling. Although it’s a little intimidating.”

Dean and McDowell publicly interviewed Bakke Wednesday, as well as County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair and real estate professional Reece Rose, both of whom also vied for the position.

“I’m a little disappointed, obviously. But I did think it was a fair process for the candidates,” Sinclair said, adding that the Republican Party could have made the process more public. “I wish Phil the best of luck.” Party leaders questioned the candidates privately on several occasions.

Rose, similarly disappointed, also said the process was reasonable. However, she said the county is “heavily into planning at the expense of other departments.”

“Everyone I was against through the appointment process was coming from the county,” she said. “I think a fresh perspective would be a good thing. The county doesn’t get enough input from the working people.”

Bakke said the questions asked by Dean and McDowell were “on target” and reflective of what residents feel are the burning issues. He thought the format of the public meeting would be beneficial for future candidate forums.

“The amount of information we were able to put out there in 15 minutes was pretty significant,” he said.

Switching from the perspective of department head to commissioner will be surreal, especially during budgeting. For years he went before the board with his requests for his department, but never saw behind the curtain.

“At the end of the day, it’s a jigsaw puzzle,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to budgeting. I think it’s a wonderful time to start. Going into it right off the bat is a distinct advantage as you move forward. It allows me to see the big picture in the decision-making process.” The county is just beginning its budgeting process for 2008.

Empathizing with the various department heads will certainly not be difficult for the South Whidbey resident.

“But it’s definitely going to be odd sitting up there Monday,” he said.

Bakke plans to continue Mike Shelton’s tradition of spending Tuesdays on South Whidbey.

Dean and McDowell agreed the decision was tough. Dean added that he was given plenty of input favoring one applicant over another.

“In the end, Commissioner McDowell and I picked the one we both feel has a slight edge on the others and with whom we feel will fit best with the team we have been forming these past few months,” Dean said. “A lot of people viewed our challenge to make an appointment as a political issue, but I think Commissioner McDowell and I both made our decision based on who we felt will make the best third ‘CEO.’ I am confident that Phil Bakke will step up to fill Mike Shelton’s shoes well.”

Shelton’s surprise announcement that he would be leaving triggered a unique, whirlwind appointment process. McDowell said Bakke was the best choice to take the position and hit the ground running.

“We wanted a person who can step into the job and be a very useful, competent county commissioner from day one,” he said. “For me that person was Phil. The time to gear up for the job was massively condensed. I’m pleased with the outcome.”

In the end, McDowell said Bakke provided the most substance in his answers to the interview questions.

Dean said he has already had a “heart-to-heart conversation” with Bakke.

“I think he knows he has some new bridges to build with constituents and county departments,” the commissioner said. “I hope all will give him a chance to prove himself.”

Rose plans to run against Bakke in next year’s election, but she has not formally made the announcement. Sinclair is also considering again tossing her hat in the ring, although she said she will keep her ear to the ground and observe how events unfold before making a final decision.

“That’s a definite ‘I don’t know,’” she said. “I’m a little close to it right now to make a decision.”

Sinclair will focus on her job as auditor in the meantime. She is in line to be the next president of the Washington Association of County Officials.

“I’m looking forward to that,” she said.

Jeff Tate was appointed acting planning director on Thursday. The commissioners will soon decide whether to install the former assistant director permanently in the new position.

“I’m absolutely interested,” Tate said. “I look forward to that opportunity if the board of commissioners makes that decision. I would be honored and flattered to move the department forward in the future.”

If the vote were put to the board today, Tate would have the job.

“Jeff always steps in during Phil’s absence and will do so in this instance, but the board of commissioners will need to officially appoint a new director,” Dean said. “It will be my recommendation that Jeff is appointed, but that is a decision the board will need to make.”

“There’s no question in my mind,” McDowell agreed. “Jeff has done an absolutely superb job. He’d be my choice.”