Collier County names interim public utilities head; commissioners debate pause versus immediate hire

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners confirmed several department leadership appointments and approved an interim hire for the county's public utilities department while staff conducts a strategic reassessment.

On a unanimous voice vote, the board confirmed James French as head of Growth Management and Community Development; Trinity Scott as head of Transportation Management Services; James W. Deloney as interim public utilities department head; and Edward Finn as deputy county manager. The vote included a stipulation that the board would not automatically launch a national search to replace the departing public utilities director.

Commissioner Hall led a substantive discussion urging the board to consider natural attrition and internal promotion for the public utilities leadership vacancy rather than immediately hiring a new, permanent director. Hall said he had asked departing director Dr. Yilmaz who among existing staff "is capable to take this ball and run with it," and reported the names of two internal staffers he believed could step up. He also referenced a ResourceX strategic reassessment that recommended evaluating current functions and considering consolidation or realignment as vacancies occur.

County staff and members of the commission acknowledged competing needs: the county has an important Northeast expansion sewer project (NESA) with developer commitments and a landfill expansion assignment that require experienced oversight, and hurricane season was approaching. County management told commissioners Deloney would serve on an at-will, short-term basis (staff estimates ranged from three to nine months) and would assist with mentoring existing staff while ResourceX completes an organizational review.

Commissioner Locastro said any interim contract with Deloney must include a clear out clause and a short notice period so the county can end the engagement quickly if needed. County management said Deloney is a retired executive who does not seek a long-term post and that the interim arrangement would allow the county time to assess whether internal staff can assume the role or if an external search is required.

A motion to approve the confirmations with the stipulation that no automatic national search would commence passed unanimously.

Staff will continue ResourceX's review of the organization and report back to the board; Deloney's interim assignment is intended to provide immediate leadership and mentorship during that review and key near-term project work.