Okaloosa County BOCC — December 31, 2012 — Retirement letter — reading text

County Administrator's Office State of Florida December 4, 2012 Honorable Members of the Board of County Commissioners: It’s hard to believe that almost 35 years has passed since I began my career with Okaloosa County in 1978. What started out to be just a “temporary” job as a correctional officer at the county jail (then operated by the Sheriff) went on to provide me with the privilege of serving as the County’s Department of Corrections Director (1981-97), Administrative Services Director (1997-2005) and since 2005, the County Administrator. I cannot begin to express how much of an honor it has been to serve with so many outstanding employees and dedicated elected officials. Through these years, there have been many challenges and great accomplishments that we have shared as a team in service to our citizens. As I know you are aware, I entered the State of Florida’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) in 2008, and as a result, I must leave employment of Okaloosa County no later than October 31, 2013. It is important for the Board to have a succession plan that will provide a seamless transition for the next County Administrator, the employees of the Board and the citizens of Okaloosa County. It is also desirable to have your new County Administrator participate, as much as possible, in the creation of the next fiscal year’s budget as this will be the budget he/she must operate with beginning October 2013. To help facilitate this transition, I plan to remain flexible by coinciding my departure with the timeliness of your having a replacement in place that is ready to assume operations. However, as stated, I must leave employment no later than the end of October. The hiring of your next County Administrator is an important decision that can have impacts on our community for many years to come. I encourage you to consider engaging a professional firm that specializes in recruiting for this type of position. They can help facilitate the hiring process and ensure that the best candidates are brought to you for consideration. Under the best of circumstances, this process can take on average four to seven months to complete, so, it is not too early for the Board to begin. Once again, please allow me to express how grateful I am for having had the privilege of serving my entire 35-year career in and for Okaloosa County. That is a blessing that few in this profession have been able to enjoy, and the people that have surrounded me during this time have made it all the more rewarding. Sincerely, ud C James D. Curry County Administrator Okaloosa County Administration Building 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 400 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 651-7515 e FAX: (850) 651-7551 e-mail: jcurry@co.okaloosa.fl.us