Subject:
Title
County Manager’s Agreement
End
Fiscal Impact:
Dept/Office:
County Attorney’s Office
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners consider and approve the County Manager’s Agreement.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
On August 12, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners appointed James P. “Jim” Liesenfelt as County Manager and appointed the Board Chairman and County Attorney to negotiate an employment contract with County Manager Liesenfelt. On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the Board Chairman, County Attorney, and County Manager met and negotiated the terms of the County Manager’s Agreement for the Board’s consideration and approval.
The negotiated Agreement is largely unchanged from former County Manager Abbate’s contract, except for certain provisions of that contract relating to the voiding of Mr. Abbate’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) agreement. Specifically, a contract term providing for County payment of Mr. Abbate’s required Florida Retirement System (FRS) employee contributions was deleted. As further consideration for leaving DROP, Mr. Abbate’s contract provided that he would be reimbursed for 100% of his unused sick leave. The Agreement negotiated with Mr. Liesenfelt provides that he will be reimbursed for 50% of his unused sick leave, the amount to which an employee of his tenure would typically be entitled. Other terms in the Agreement include:
- The effective date of September 16, 2025.
- The annual salary of $286,537.16.
- A provision for severance pay in the amount of 20 weeks of compensation upon termination, resignation, or retirement, unless terminated for good cause, in which case severance payment is prohibited, pursuant to Section 215.425, Florida Statutes.
- County to provide a monthly car allowance in the sum of 65% of the American Automobile Association’s average cost of ownership calculation.
- Commencing in 2026, County to contribute maximum allowed by applicable law to the County Manager’s deferred compensation account, including any eligible catch-up contributions established under the Internal Revenue Code.
Other than the effective date, each of the terms listed above are the same as provided in the prior County Manager’s contract.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Return copies of the executed Agreement to the County Manager’s Office and the Human Resources Director.