Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Executive Hiring topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority director to retire; board votes to begin internal search first
Summary
Executive Director Dan Pelowitz announced he will retire Dec. 23; the Solid Waste Authority board voted 4-3 to open an internal search first, with applications to be accepted for two weeks and shortlisted candidates to be interviewed before the board decides whether to expand the search.
Dan Pelowitz, executive director of the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority, told the board that he will retire effective Dec. 23, his 60th birthday, and recommended that the board consider internal candidates first to succeed him.
The board debated whether to open a competitive, external search or limit the first phase to internal applicants. Commissioners split along familiar lines between prioritizing continuity at the utility and prioritizing broader transparency and outreach. After discussion, the board voted 4-3 to begin by looking internally for potential successors and to accept internal applications for a two-week window.
Pelowitz told the board he came to the authority as a 27-year-old and said he is ready to support whatever process the board chooses. “This is a unique organization…our financing is unique. Our assessment is unique,” Pelowitz said, describing why an internal search could be appropriate.
Supporters of an internal-first approach argued the authority’s operations and funding structure are specialized and continuity is valuable. Commissioner Weiss said internal candidates are likely to be best prepared and moved to begin internally. Commissioners Flores and Powell said they favored casting a wide net for transparency and to ensure the board considered outside candidates and fresh ideas.
The board directed staff to accept internal applications for two weeks and to forward applicant materials to each commissioner for individual review. The board discussed scheduling individual interviews for commissioners with internal applicants, holding a public shortlist meeting on Nov. 13, and making a final decision at the December meeting. If no suitable internal candidate is selected, the board retained the option to launch a broader external search or hire a search firm.
Pelowitz and staff also said the authority’s human-resources platform (NeoGov) and trade associations such as the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and county HR can be used for outreach if the board elects to go external.
Board members also discussed interim coverage if a successor is not in place by Dec. 23 and asked staff to prepare a job description and a quick salary survey from the authority’s consultant (Evergreen) to support advertising and candidate evaluation. Pelowitz said he would provide the existing job description and that Evergreen could provide a salary range.
The board’s 4-3 vote to begin internally was recorded by roll call as follows: Vice Mayor Baxter — aye; Commissioner Flores — no; Mayor Mia Marino — yes; Commissioner Powell — no; Commissioner Sachs — no; Commissioner Weiss — yes; Commissioner Woodward — yes.
