Yesterday, the Lake County Board had a six hour "retreat" to discuss future budgets, etc. I missed the meeting, only one member of the public was there, and no reporters. But, I was told that two Board members (Welton Cadwell & then Jimmy Conner) came out saying that they wanted interim County Manager Sandy Minkoff to be permanent, ...which was a surprise to everyone else, and then a third Commissioner, Jennifer Hill, said she also might support him.
Until now, everyone was relying on earlier statements from Minkoff that he did not want the job and would return to being County Counsel... but that was a YEAR ago. And, until yesterday, there were plans for the Board to discuss County Manager hiring methods, by either hiring me ( not really, but a scary thought) or hiring a GOOD headhunter to find a really good County manager with a measurable track record who can lead this County out of the economic doldrums... kinda like John Drury is doing for the City of Tavares.
My initial thoughts about this news is that there had been a momentum to use a headhunter to find a barn burner leader for the County, not an administrator. And now that could be dead.
Minkoff is a very pleasant manager, and has clearly cleaned up some problems and streamlined the County spending, and he deserves a lot of credit for doing so. But he has not directed any improvements at all in economic development. He has taken no action to improve the results of the Economic Development department.
So what makes us think he will do so now? He basically implements what the Board wants and maintains a status quo. And, clearly, Board members Cadwell, Conners and Hill didn't expect him to improve economic development results. You don't see him out speaking to groups on the future of the County, etc. He is an attorney, not a business or operations manager, but he DOES also have a good team of managers, so they also need credit for the improvements we have seen in the last year.
Additionally, he recently hired a Deputy County Manager from Clermont and a new, economic development manager from Las Vegas.
At the very least, to be fair to taxpayers, the Board should still go ahead and get a headhunter and take applications, and let Sandy apply like the rest, Then have open interviews like the School Board did for the Superintendent position.
And, if the Board still thinks Minkoff should be retained, then the process will show how he compared to other applicants.
If Minkoff is retained, will the County just
And, that is why I wrote this - either with Minkoff, or with another County Manager, this County's future economic status relies on an assertive, business oriented manager and economic development team, and the wrong selection by County Board Members could result in their (Cadwell, Conner & Hill's) last term of elected office... because the Tea Party, Right Side of the Lake, Lauren Ritchie and this blogger are watching for a sign of life and competent County economy building leadership for the future.
For instance, Minkoff did nothing about the lack of progress by the Economic Development dept in the last year, and only yesterday at the retreat did the Board re-organize the leadership reporting structure of Economic Development, but it is through the two untested new managers.
So, Commissioner Cadwell, Conners and Hill, your legacy and reputation for providing leadership in improving the Lake County economy may rest on this decision and how you implement it. I waited for a year for you to do something about economic development and you failed to do so.
Economic improvement (business growth), addition of jobs, and solving the foreclosure problem in Lake County should be your priorities, and I haven't seen any evidence of leadership from Cadwell, Hill, or Minkoff. Conners has taken the lead on reducing many costs, and Minkoff has also done that, but nothing has been accomplished in the above three economic development areas.
It is time to start. If one or more of the high seniority Commissioners have been a constraint on staff to improve our local economy, then that needs to change.
The future of homeowner's ability to recover house values may depend on this decison.
The future of Lake County kids ability to find local jobs and stay in Lake County may depend on this decision.
The future of retirees to sell their homes and move into retirement villages may depend on this decision.
The ability for homeowners to support any tax to improve education may depend on this decision.
The ability for the County to attract business relocations may depend on an active, business oriented County Manager and Commission.
We need leaders and producers for Lake County, not just skilled administrators. (Somebody has to say what everyone I talk to is thinking...but, I have to admit, not many Democrats talk to me.)
So, go ahead and publicize the opening AND also hire a skilled headhunter to find a barn burner, let Minkoff apply, and let the process of hiring the County Manager be open.
So, if three or more Commissioners still really believe Minkoff and the new staffers can improve the objectives I listed above, as well as implement process controls to eliminate the constant stream of fiscal fiascos we have documented here, you better prepare a really good sales plan and have a REALLY good action plan with measurable, verifiable objectives in specific timeframes. That plan should be discussed in public and get buy-ins, with quarterly performance objectives. You also need to agree to require a status meeting EVERY week on progress towards the objectives. And, no promise of any severance for anyone until the objectives are met for the next two years, and then if the measurable objectives are met, then a severance of only 3-months should be allowed for any employee. (See my earlier post on severances).
Or, the Board could just give up, establish a completely separate non-profit agency with separate funding to improve Economic Development, and let that organization take the heat if they don't perform.
vj
