Okaloosa County BOCC — November 4, 2012 — Action Item Printout

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: December 18, 2012 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Daniel O'Byrne SUBJECT: Tourist Development Recommendations Update DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: On June 19, 2012 Greg Stewart of the law firm Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson made a presentation to the Board in which he made a wide variety of recommendations for Okaloosa County in conjunction with the fraud issues that had occurred in the Tourist Development Department. Staff will provide the Board with an update on these issues and seek further direction accordingly. BACKGROUND: In late April and early May of 2012, it was brought to the Board’s attention that unethical and illegal activities had taken place at the Tourist Development Department. The Board responded to this discovery by engaging special counsel Greg Stewart to review the circumstances surrounding the theft of county funds. Stewart’s report to the Board included recommendations on how to best prevent other instances of fraud, deception and theft in the future. Stewart presented his recommendations to the Board on June 19, 2012. Since this time, several updates have been provided to the Board and the public indicating the status of these changes, and staff continues to seek further direction/guidance concerning their implementation. RECOMMENDATIONS: Discuss status of recommended changes that govern the Tourist Development Department and Council, and provide additional direction as determined necessary. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: James D. Curry, County Administrator