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Administrator's job may be filled today

Commissioners could also vote today on how to fund a possible extension of the Suncoast Parkway.

By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published September 26, 2006

INVERNESS - Several hot-button issues are on the docket at today's County Commission meeting, including the possible extension of the Suncoast Parkway into Citrus and the selection of a new county administrator.

Monday afternoon, as commissioners emerged from a day of meetings, the status of both subjects became a bit more clear.

Officials from Florida's Turnpike Enterprise told commissioners during individual briefings that there are two options on the table: seeking federal funding for the possible parkway extension or proceeding with state dollars. Today, commissioners could vote on which path they would like turnpike officials to take.

As for the administrator, each commissioner held private, one-on-one meetings with the four finalists Monday. A vote today may finally fill the county's top job - a position that has remained vacant since Richard Wesch's ouster nearly six months ago.

A public interview of the finalists is set for 8 a.m. today.

It was unclear Monday whether any finalist had an edge coming out of the first round of interviews.

Commissioners Gary Bartell and Jim Fowler could not be reached for comment. But Commissioners Dennis Damato, Vicki Phillips and Joyce Valentino said Monday's interviews went well and would lead to selection of a strong choice today.

"We have some good people to pick from this time. ... We'll see what tomorrow brings," Damato said Monday afternoon.

He said he talked with finalists about their management style, economic development, budgeting and planning issues.

Those topics were also important to Phillips, who said she was looking forward to picking from "four very qualified candidates."

Valentino said she also asked candidates about their experience working with cities.

"They did most of the talking," finalist Ron H. Rabun said Monday afternoon.

Commissioners were particularly concerned with growth management and infrastructure issues, he said. And it seemed like county staff members were ready to have someone at the helm.

"They've been doing some heavy lifting," Rabun said.

The commission's second attempt to find a county administrator began last month, with 33 applicants from across the country applying for the position. Earlier this month, commissioners narrowed the list to five finalists. One candidate pulled his name out of the running.

The four finalists are: June M. Fisher, 43, of Sebring; Rabun, 56, of Griffin, Ga.; Mark B. Roath, 57, of Wylie, Texas; and Tony Mervin "Merv" Waldrop, 45, of Waynesboro, Ga.

The commission's first attempt to fill the position fell through in July after a string of incidents that culminated with their top pick, Charles Saddler of Lakeland, pulling out of negotiations.

A major roadblock in that process surfaced when commissioners learned, after ranking Saddler as their No. 1 choice, that he had been fired from his last job.

Government officials in administrative positions frequently face firing, with their job security tied to the will and whims of elected officials. But the timing of the revelation made some commissioners question their choice.

They criticized the consulting firm they hired, the Mercer Group Inc., for not providing enough background information about candidates.

Human Resources director Randy Petitt said his thorough background checks of the candidates this time around haven't turned up any "scandals or improprieties."

He said commissioners seemed ready to pick a new leader for the county.

"It's time to close that wound and move on," Petitt said.

Commissioners contacted Monday said Florida Department of Transportation officials would give a more thorough presentation of their possible parkway plans today.

"They didn't really know what the next step was," Phillips said. "They need to re-evaluate where they are and where they think they can get funding."

Valentino said if they proceed using state funding, "they could have a shovel in the ground as close as five years from now," whereas seeking federal funding would delay the project.

But Valentino said she has concerns about the project, no matter how it is funded. She said she worried about how the state would address environmental issues.

Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at cshoichet@sptimes.com or 860-7309.

[Last modified September 26, 2006, 06:24:59]