Okaloosa County BOCC — May 17, 2013 — March 28 Special — reading text

March 28, 2013 Special Called Meeting A Special Called Meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners was called to order at 1:08 p.m. at the Water & Sewer Administration Building in Fort Walton Beach. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct public interviews with the candidates for the County Administrator position. Members present were Don Amunds, Chairman; Dave Parisot, Vice Chairman; Nathan Boyles; and Kelly Windes. Also present were Gary Stanford, Finance Director, Clerk’s Office; and John Dowd, County Attorney. Commissioner Wayne Harris was not in attendance. Mr. Amunds briefly described the process to be followed during this special meeting. He then introduced Colin Baenziger of Colin Baenziger & Associates (executive recruiting firm). Mr. Baenziger detailed the procedure to be followed for interviewing the candidates in a public setting. He said these interviews will give the commissioners the opportunity to observe how the candidates might function in a commission meeting. Also, it will give the public additional information about the candidates and their communication skills. Mr. Baenziger introduced the first candidate, Mr. Rick Chaffin. Mr. Chaffin is currently the Deputy City Manager of McKinney, Texas. Previous experience includes serving as City Manager in Roswell, Georgia; Griffin, Georgia; Mount Pleasant, Texas; and Lampass, Texas. Mr. Chaffin spoke on his tour of the county and described his background. A question and answer period ensued. Mr. Baenziger exited the Chambers and returned with the next candidate. Mr. Boyles commented on the process being used and pointed out the commissioners conducted personal interviews with the candidates prior to the public meeting. Mr. Amunds noted that a reception was held for the applicants on Wednesday evening and provided an opportunity to view the candidates in a social setting. Mr. Baenziger introduced Mr. Stephen Layson. Mr. Layson detailed his background for the Board. He is currently the Chief Administrative Officer for Bibb County, Georgia. Previous positions include County Administrator for Jones County, Georgia and serving as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners in Putnam, Georgia. A question and answer period followed. At the March 28, 2013 -1- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners conclusion of this session, Mr. Baenziger left the room to retrieve the third candidate. Mr. Baenziger introduced Mr. Ted Lakey. Mr. Lakey gave his background. He is currently a County Commissioner in Jackson County, Florida. Prior experience includes working as a superintendent and Interim Public Works Director in Escambia County, Florida and as a Correctional Officer in the Birmingham, Alabama, Police Department. As with prior candidate interviews, a question and answer period then ensued. At the conclusion of this session, Mr. Baenziger left the room to retrieve the final candidate. Mr. Baenziger introduced Mr. Ernie Padgett. Mr. Padgett talked about his background. Mr. Padgett is currently retired but has previously served in the capacity of County Administrator in Manatee, Santa Rosa, and Jackson Counties in Florida. He was also the Director for the Chipola Junior College Institute of Government and a Jackson County Commissioner. A question and answer period followed. The interviews were concluded at 1:40 p.m. Mr. Amunds said it is his understanding from speaking with each candidate that he could begin within three weeks to 30 days. He stated the benefits package was explained to each candidate. He opened the floor for comments from other Board members. Mr. Boyles stated it would be helpful to hear from other commissioners what direction the Board wants to go in and what qualities they are looking for in a county administrator. Mr. Amunds replied experience is a huge factor for him. He is also looking at how the individual will interact with the public and how he took on issues in his current or former capacities. Mr. Amunds said although he likes the idea of someone from outside, he feels it is important for the candidate to be familiar with Florida laws. He felt all candidates are qualified for the position. Mr. Amunds added that he once thought the position should be held by someone who would be here for ten or more years but now believes the Board should concentrate on the best candidate for the county for the next three to five years. Mr. Parisot placed importance on the leadership role, not only in the county structure but in the communities. He said the March 28, 2013 -2- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners Board has a good senior staff and he does not want anyone to come in and turn that topsy-turvy. Mr. Parisot felt the county administrator should not only be a good speaker but a good listener, have good negotiation skills, the ability to interface with Constitutional officers, and maintain municipality partnerships. Mr. Windes said he wants the best of both worlds—experience and someone interested in staying more than three to five years. The individual should be able to present well, dedicated, and professional. Mr. Boyles used an analogy of experience in lawyers, saying it is the older attorneys who become complacent while younger lawyers look at the statutes each time. He said the county has good experienced staff to provide technical knowledge. Mr. Boyles stated there will be cycles where department heads move on with their careers. He asked the Board to be open minded with regard to the experience with Florida law, saying he believes any of the individuals from Georgia or Texas could quickly get up to speed with issues. Mr. Amunds asked his fellow commissioners how they want to proceed in light of Mr. Harris’ absence. Mr. Windes replied because Mr. Harris is not here and two of the candidates submitted additional information during the interviews, he believes it is appropriate to delay any decisions until the April 2 meeting. He said he would like to sleep on it before making such an important decision. Mr. Windes made motion to postpone a vote on the candidates until the next meeting. Mr. Amunds said he does not believe a motion is required but will look for a consensus. Mr. Parisot agreed the Board should wait until Mr. Harris can be present and each commissioner should select his top two candidates. Mr. Amunds disagreed with selecting only two and said in the event negotiations were unsuccessful with the top two candidates, it would be good to have selected a third candidate. Mr. Boyles stated Mr. Baenziger has been doing this for some time and asked for his recommendation. Mr. Baenziger replied it is the Board’s process and the commissioners could select the top three or it could be done as he normally does it. Mr. Dowd asked if a weighted score is used. Mr. Baenziger answered that he prefers not to use a rating system. He said his process is to ask the commissioners to select their top three choices. From those top three, he then asks on the next ballot for each March 28, 2013 -3- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners commissioner to select his top two choices. When the field is then narrowed to the top two candidates, the commissioners are asked to vote for their top candidate. Upon inquiry by Mr. Amunds, Mr. Baenziger stated he will contact Mr. Harris and give him the additional information which has been provided and encourage him to conduct telephone interviews with the candidates. It was the consensus of the Board to delay voting on the county administrator candidates until April 2 and to follow Mr. Baenziger’s process of selection. Mr. Boyles pointed out that during his discussions some of the candidates expressed concern there was no assistant county administrator or a dedicated budget officer. He acknowledged that staff was narrowed during the lean times but suggested during the budget process the Board discuss the possibility of hiring an assistant administrator who participates in the budget procedure or a budget officer. Mr. Windes stated two candidates were adamant a budget director position should be added. Mr. Parisot said the county does have a budget officer, Dave Skarynski with the Clerk’s Office. He noted that previously the assistant administrator did serve in that capacity a few years ago. Mr. Parisot stated that although he does not believe we will be out of the economic doldrums in 2014, we should begin to look at fleshing out the staff. Mr. Amunds said he spoke with the HR Director recently regarding the number of employees in the DROP program and others who are anticipating retirement in the near future. He asked Mrs. Godwin to compile data in this regard so the Board can plan accordingly. Mr. Parisot said he would like to provide upward mobility for staff who are capable of filling senior positions rather than always advertising on the outside. March 28, 2013 -4- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:07 p.m. _____________________________ _______________________________ DON W. HOWARD DON R. AMUNDS, CHAIRMAN CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (These minutes were transcribed by Gary Stanford and Teresa Ward.) March 28, 2013 -5- Minute Book 69, Page Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners