Santa Rosa to start administrator search process


  • June 8, 2015
  • /   Louis Cooper
  • /   government

Santa Rosa County is getting ready to seek applicants for its top non-elected governmental job.

Santa Rosa County commissioners will discuss a draft announcement seeking applicants to become the county administrator when they meet this morning. This spring, County Administrator Hunter Walker announced he would be leaving the job in December. He will have served 20 years in the position.

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The Santa Rosa County Commission meets at 9 a.m. today at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Office Complex, located at 6495 U.S. 90, Milton (behind McDonald's).

The agenda for the meeting is available at http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/agendas/06.08.15backup.PDF. The meeting is broadcast online at http://www.santarosa.fl.gov//bocc/BOCC_Calendar/.

Generally, the commission’s Monday meetings – called “committee meetings” – are used to discuss items and set the agenda for Thursday’s regular meetings where final decisions are usually made.

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Applications for the administrator's job are due by July 31, 2015.

"The ideal candidate will have strong managerial experience and show high levels of performance in areas that include finance and budget, human resources, economic development, planning/development, information technology, public safety, infrastructure management, customer service and maintaining positive lines of communication at all levels," according to the draft announcement.

"The successful candidate will be equally committed to both developing employee performance and accountability, as well as ensuring a positive, supportive and respectful working environment for all employees."

The position requires a master's degree in public administration or a related field with at least seven years of experience as a local government department head, assistant county administrator, or any equivalent combination of training and experience at least seven years of experience as a county or deputy county administrator, town or city manager, or a bachelor's degree with at least 10 years related experience.

The draft announcement says the salary range for the position is "competitive and based on the candidate's qualifications and experience."

Currently, Walker earns $132,412 annually, with a vehicle allowance of $500.

The position also includes participation in the Florida Retirement System, paid vacation and sick leave, group life insurance, medical insurance, monthly travel stipend, professional dues and conference expenses. Moving expenses are negotiable.

The position will likely be advertised with professional organizations including the Florida Association of Counties, the National Association of Counties, the International City/County Management Association and the National League of Cities, says county spokeswoman Joy Tsubooka.

Also on the agenda for Monday's meeting:

— Discussion of annual agreement with Karen Harrell to coordinate the 2015 Beaches to Woodlands Tour. In May, the Tourist Development Council voted unanimously to spend $35,000 on a contract with Harrell, TDC Director Julie Morgan wrote in a memo. Harrell has coordinated the annual October tour of events for the last six years.

"I have looked closely at this event and believe it is a very important event that showcases Santa Rosa County's tourism in its entirety from Jay all the way to Navarre Beach," Morgan wrote. "All of our attractions are on the tour and it also includes many events such as: Jay Peanut Festival, Holland Farms Pumpkin Patch, Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze and Whispering Pines Christmas Tree Farm hay rides, arts events, golf and much more."

— An update and presentation on Whiting Field Naval Air Station by commanding officer Capt. Todd Bahlau.

— Discussion of annual detailed work plan budget for mosquito control.

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