Subject:
Title
Appointment of County Manager Position
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Fiscal Impact:
Cost savings resulting from ending recruitment for the County Manager position, including travel expenses for candidates.
Dept/Office:
District 2, Commissioner Tom Goodson
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners appoint Interim County Manager Jim Liesenfelt as County Manager and appoint the Board Chairman and County Attorney to work out the details of the contract.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
The closing application date for the County Manager position was August 1. On August 5, our recruiter notified us that "we have a few strong candidates," but that he extended the search to August 15 because they want "great candidates" so we can have "an outstanding group to choose from." We have someone outstanding doing the job right now.
Jim Liesenfelt has worked for Brevard County government since 1991. Before the Board made him the Interim County Manager, he was an Assistant County Manager since 2017, and a Department Director for 20 years before that. In my experience as a County Commissioner, I have always found Mr. Liesenfelt to be prepared, professional, and responsive. Since becoming Interim County Manager, despite our current fiscal challenges, he has overseen the preparation of a balanced budget, and we achieved labor peace with our firefighters' union.
We have a great team in the County Manager's Office with Mr. Liesenfelt, Mr. Calkins, and Ms. Hayes. We could spend a lot more time and money and bring people in from around the country, but I think we have the best person for the job right here. If Mr. Liesenfelt is willing to do the job, that knowledge and continuity will be good for the organization, staff morale, and for Brevard County. Assuming he accepts, I would like the Board Chairman and County Attorney to negotiate the terms and conditions of compensation and employment with Mr. Liesenfelt and return a co...
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