PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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DISCUSSION OF RECRUITMENT FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY POSITION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Martin County's County Attorney, Sarah Woods, will be retiring in July 2025. Staff seeks direction from the Board of County Commissioners on the recruitment process to fill this upcoming vacancy.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Matthew Graham
Title: Assistant County Administrator
REQUESTED BY: Don G. Donaldson, County Administrator
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
The Board of County Commissioners (Board) has two contract positions that report directly to the Board: the County Administrator and the County Attorney. County Attorney Sarah Woods has notified the Board of her intention to retire effective July 2025.
To ensure continuity of operations and begin the transition process, staff is requesting approval to proceed with an in-house recruitment led by the County Administrator in consultation with the Human Resources Department.
Additionally, staff recommends an interim appointment to ensure legal coverage and continuity following Ms. Woods' departure.
The following steps are being proposed to the Board for consideration:
* Upon Ms. Woods leaving office, Elysse Elder shall be appointed as Acting County Attorney. In accordance with the Human Resources Manual, she would receive a 10% increase in salary for acting-in-higher-capacity pay.
* Direct the County Administrator to initiate a recruitment process for the County Attorney position in coordination with the Human Resources Department.
* Establish a panel to review the applications and submit a shortlist of the top-rated candidates to the Board. This panel will consist of one outside local attorney, two Constitutional Officers, the County Administrator, and one Department Director.
If the Board does not support this recruitment process, it may alternatively provide direction to the County Administrator...
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