Flagler County keeps administrator through July, directs HR to start FAC search for permanent county administrator

The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners voted March 9 to keep County Administrator Ms. Petito in her role through the tentative budget period and to ask human resources to contact the Florida Association of County Managers to begin a search for a permanent county administrator.

The action followed a debate over whether to appoint an interim from existing staff or to start a permanent search immediately. Several commissioners argued against assigning current department heads to act as interim because it would remove staff from their regular duties; others proposed temporary internal coverage while launching an open search. A commissioner told the board that the FAC process could be an expedited option, estimating a typical search might take “four to five months.”

Ms. Petito told the board she did not intend to seek outside employment and reiterated an earlier offer to stay through the tentative budget, saying, “I will stay on.” Commissioners said keeping her in place would preserve continuity for the budget process and allow staff to participate in interviews.

A motion directing the county’s human resources staff to reach out to the Florida Association of County Managers to start the search carried on a roll-call vote. Commissioners also discussed leaving open the option later to contract with an external search firm if the FAC/HR process did not produce satisfactory candidates.

Next steps: HR will contact FAC and report back to the board on timelines and costs for a search. The board left open further discussion of hiring an outside firm if needed.