Okaloosa County BOCC — May 19, 2015 — Public Safety Director Screening Committee and County Reorganization — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: May 19, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: GinNeal McVay SUBJECT: Public Safety Director Screening Committee and County Reorganization DEPARTMENT: Human Resources BCC DISTRICT: ALL STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Appoint a screening committee to review employment applications for the Public Safety Director position and approve the proposed reorganization. BACKGROUND: The current director is retiring effective July 5, 2015. The Human Resources Policy VII, C states, in part, “A screening committee comprised of a Commissioner, the County Administrator or designee, and others as determined and approved by the Board, will review all qualified employment applications for vacant department director positions.” The County Administrator has recommended Mr. Paul Lawson serve as the Interim Public Safety Director beginning July 6, 2015 until a new Public Safety Director can be hired. Mr. Lawson currently serves as the Chief Correctional Officer for the Okaloosa County Department of Corrections. The County Administrator has also recommended an overall reorganization as reflected on the attached organizational chart to be effective upon the employment of a new Public Safety Director. With this change, the Corrections Department will report to the Deputy County Administrator and the Court Services and Law Library Departments will report to the Chief Correctional Officer. These departments formerly reported to the Public Safety Director. OPTIONS: The Board could consider appointment of the committee to include: Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, BCC liaison commissioner to Public Safety; John Hofstad, County Administrator; GinNeal McVay, Interim Human Resources Director; Undersheriff Don Adams, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department; Dr. Christopher Tanner, M.D.; and/or others as desired. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1) Provide direction on the appointment of a screening committee to review employment applications for Public Safety Director; 2) Confirm the County Administrator's recommendation for Mr. Paul Lawson to serve as the Interim Public Safety Director beginning July 6, 2015 until a new Public Safety Director can be hired; and 3) Approve the reorganization proposed by the County Administrator to be effective upon the employment of a new Public Safety Director. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator