Okaloosa County BOCC — March 15, 2016 — Approval for New Positions in the Tourist Development Department — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: March 15, 2016 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: GinNeal McVay SUBJECT: Approval for New Positions in the Tourist Development Department DEPARTMENT: Human Resources BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval to add two new positions in the Tourist Development Department (TDD) - Digital Marketing Strategist and Sports & Events Sales Specialist, Grade 71 ($17.54 - $28.97). BACKGROUND: On February 2, 2016, the TDD obtained the Board's conceptual approval to bring its marketing function in-house and add and/or change positions to support the reorganization. After reviewing our internal administrative processes, we have determined the TDD will need to add a net of two positions to facilitate the beginning of the reorganization. The two new positions will be Digital Marketing Strategist and Sports & Events Sales Specialist. The Deputy Director of Sales & Marketing and the Public Relations Manager previously presented can be added by reclassifying current positions. The reclassification requests can be approved by the County Administrator as outlined in the Human Resources Policy Manual. These positions will be filled in accordance with current County policy. The creation of these new positions is just the first step in the process of bringing the marketing function in-house. As shown in the attached PowerPoint presentation, the timeline for implementation contemplates a contract extension with the Peter Mayer Agency until September 2016 (currently set to expire in May 2016). The TDD is anticipating presenting the contract extension request to the Tourist Development Council in April and requesting official Board approval in May. During the months of March, April and May, the Human Resources Department anticipates advertising the new positions, conducting interviews and completing background checks on selected candidates. Based on the attached timeline, the official transition from the Peter Mayer Agency to internal staff could begin as early as June 1st. Staff understands that bringing the marketing function in-house will necessitate the creation of new policies. Therefore, the TDD will work closely with the Purchasing Department, Legal, Human Resources and the Clerk's Office to develop policies to ensure the successful transition and implementation of the County's marketing program. The TDD anticipates providing the policies to the Tourist Development Council in late April and to the Board for final approval in May. OPTIONS: Approve/Disapprove/Modify RECOMMENDATIONS: Approve adding the Digital Marketing Strategist and Sports & Events Sales Specialist positions to the Tourist Development Department. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator