Item Q4
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: May 15, 2002
Division: County Administrator
Bulk Item: Yes X No
Department: County Administrator
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of the attached program for the selection of the new
County Attorney.
ITEM BACKGROUND: At the April meeting of the Board of County Commissioners the
Board approved an approach for the selection of the new County Attorney. The
Administrator was requested to bring back to the Board a description of the position
requirements. In addition, the attached document summarizes the procedure that the Board
outlined. If the BOCC has a different interpretation of what was decided, this is the
appropriate time to inform the Administration so that everybody understands the process to
be followed.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: As above
CONTRACT I AGREEMENT CHANGES: Nt A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval.
TOTAL COST: Advertising cost and staff time
BUDGETED: Yes --X- No
COST TO COUNTY: Advertising cost and staff time
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
YR
APPROVED BY: County Atty _
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
O~B/~Q~anagement
James L. Roberts, County Administrator
DOCUMENTATION:
Included
X
To Follow
Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM # ~ Y
SELECTION OF COUNTY A1TORNEY
During the meeting of the Board of County Commissioners in April, 2002, the Board
outlined the process for the selection of the new County Attorney. That process included the
appointment of a committee to review the applicants for the position and to create a list of five
(5) nominees to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. At that time individual
Board members could supplement the list with additional names. Since that meeting, the
following have been appointed:
Mayor McCoy has appointed himself
Commissioner Spehar has appointed herself
Commissioner Williams has appointed Bob Dean
Commissioner Nelson has appointed Andrew Tobin, Esq.
Commissioner Neugent has appointed Larry Erskine, Esq.
In addition, the County Administrator will serve as a resource person to the committee.
It is also suggested that the Chief Assistant County Attorney be available to discuss the operation
of the office and to answer technical questions that may be asked by the applicants. Neither the
County Administrator nor the Chief Assistant will have a vote on the committee.
The administration will solicit applications from qualified individuals according to the
following description. The information will be made available to the review committee and the
Board of County Commissioners. The advertisement for the position will include the following:
Reauirements :
1. Member of the FL Bar Association for at least five (5) years.
2. Experience in the following areas of practice:
Local government law, land use law (Florida Growth
Management preferred), contract law, real property law and
constitutional law
3. Prior service as an attorney for or a member of a Florida local
government board or commission or as a judge in Florida.
Job descriotion:
This is a full time staff position advising the Board of County Commissioners and
senior members of the County Administration and overseeing the operations of the
County Attorney's staff including three (3) Assistant County Attorneys and three (3)
support staff. The County Attorney is also responsible for the supervision of outside
counsel (litigation and specialized areas) and the preparation and/or review of all
ordinances, resolutions and contracts presented before the Board of County
Commissioners.
Office location:
The office of the County Attorney is located in Key West; but it is necessary for
the County Attorney to travel throughout the Florida Keys and, at times, to the State
Capitol or other locations to represent the County. The County Commission meets on a
rotating basis in Key West, Marathon and Key Largo and the County Attorney's
attendance is required at those meetings.
Salarv ranae:
The salary range will be $117,000 to $133,000 depending on qualifications and
experience.
Apolication:
Candidates will provide a resume listing their education, employment history, bar
memberships, committee service and disciplinary history. They will also submit a sample
of legal writing and a list of at least three (3) professional and personal references. If an
applicant becomes a finalist for the position, Monroe County will certainly check beyond
those references supplied by the applicant.
Selection schedule:
It is anticipated that those applicants who most closely meet the needs of
Monroe County will be interviewed in August, 2002. Prior to that time there will be
interviews of some applicants by the review committee so that a recommendation of the
finalists can be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County
Commissioners will make the final determination as to the hiring of the new County
Attorney. For the individual selected there will be a reasonable time to complete
responsibilities in his/her other position or to conclude responsibilities in his/her current
practice.
Advertisement:
Monroe County will advertise for this position in standard statewide newspaper
(Miami Herald) and the Florida Bar News. Depending upon the time period involved with
the Florida Bar News, a final date for acceptance of applications will be stated.