Hardee County commissioners narrow county manager search to five finalists

Hardee County commissioners agreed on five finalists to advance in the county manager search and instructed human resources to notify them for first-round phone interviews.

"We have a Mark Tyner, John Eason, Tracy Miller, Chad Morris or Charles Morris, and Angela Usher," the chair said when announcing the list and asking HR to reach out. HR confirmed the first round will be by phone and that candidates will be required to complete an official county application and a background check before advancing.

The board received 25 applications, one of which withdrew, leaving 24 under consideration. Commissioners said they deliberately left the slate at five candidates to have backups if finalists withdrew or accepted other offers. Staff told the board they expect phone interviews the week of the conference and personal interviews and a meet-and-greet on June 29, with a scheduled vote to select the county manager on June 30 at 2:00 p.m.

The chair asked each commissioner to return a prioritized list to HR so staff could schedule interviews and begin vetting. HR advised commissioners to try to identify two or three top candidates in advance to streamline the in-person interviews and to reduce last-minute narrowing at the meeting where a selection vote will occur.

Next steps: HR will notify the five finalists and coordinate phone interviews, process county applications, and run background checks. Commissioners will reconvene in person for interviews and a meet-and-greet before the scheduled vote.