§ 2-2-22. General functions; qualifications; appointment; compensation.

(a)

The county administrator shall be the administrative head of the county government and shall be responsible for the administration of departments and offices of the county government established by the board of county commissioners pursuant to this article and the laws of Florida, and by resolution placed under the control of the county administrator.

(b)

The county administrator shall be qualified by administrative and executive experience and ability to serve as a chief administrator for the county and shall meet one or more of the following requirements:

(1)

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's of public administration (M.P.A.) or a master's of business administration (M.B.A.) or an equivalent degree in a related field and at least two (2) years recent appropriate senior management local or regional government experience;

(2)

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in public or business administration (M.A. or M.S.) or equivalent degree and at least three (3) years recent appropriate senior management local or regional government experience acquired subsequent to the completion of said master's degree;

(3)

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree preferably in public or business administration (B.A., B.S. or B.B.A.) and at least seven (7) years recent appropriate senior management local or regional government experience;

(4)

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and recent appropriate senior management local or regional government experience as may be established by subsequent action of a majority of the board of county commissioners; or

(5)

Notwithstanding the above educational requirements, a county employee currently serving as a deputy or assistant county administrator who does not have a university or college degree may be appointed to serve as the acting county administrator for a period not to exceed one year.

(c)

No county commissioner shall be employed as county administrator during the term to which he or she shall have been elected or within two (2) years of expiration of his or her term as county commissioner.

(d)

The county administrator need not be a resident of the county at the time of his or her appointment, but during his tenure in office he or she shall reside within the county.

(e)

The compensation of the county administrator shall be fixed by the board of county commissioners unless otherwise provided by law.

(f)

The county administrator shall be appointed by an affirmative vote of not less than four (4) members of the board of county commissioners.

(g)

The office of the county administrator shall be deemed vacant if the incumbent is removed, resigns, moves his or her residence from the county or is, by death, illness or other casualty, unable to continue in office. A vacancy in the office shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The board of county commissioners may appoint an acting county administrator in the case of vacancy or temporary absence or disability until a successor has been appointed and qualified or the administrator returns.

(h)

The county administrator may be removed, upon public notice given seven (7) days in advance, by an affirmative vote of not less than four (4) members of the board, and in accordance with such additional terms and conditions as may be established by written contract with the board of county commissioners.

(Ord. No. 91-61, § 2, 6-4-91; Ord. No. 92-49, § 1, 6-2-92; Ord. No. 19-14 , § 3(Exh. A), 2-12-19)