HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/21/2023Indian River County Florida
Indian River County Administration Complex
1801 27th Street, Building A
Vero Beach, Florida, 32960-3388
www.ircgov.com
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Meeting Minutes - Final
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
12:00 PM
Special Call Meeting
Commission Chambers
Board of County Commissioners
Joseph H. Earman, District 3, Chairman
Susan Adams, District 1, Vice Chairman
Joseph Flescher, District 2
Deryl Loar, District 4
Laura Moss, District 5
Michael C. Zito, Interim County Administrator
Dylan Reingold, County Attorney
Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Terri Collins -Lister, Deputy Clerk
Board of County Commissioners Special Call Meeting Minutes - Final March 21, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDEIZ
ROLL CALL
Present: 5- Chairman Joe Earman
Vice Chairman Susan Adams
Commissioner Joseph Flescher
Commissioner Deryl Loar
Commissioner Laura Moss
2.A. A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF
THE ARMED FORCES
2.B. INVOCATION
Jeff Smith, Clerk of Court and Comptroller
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Laura Moss
4. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA / EMERGENCY ITEMS
A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Moss, to
approve the Agenda as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Chairman Earman, Vice Chairman Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner
Loar, and Commissioner Moss
5. DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS
A. Human Resources
23-0238 County Administrator's Contract
Recommended Action: Staff respectfully requests the BOCC approve the County Administrator
Employment Agreement and authorize the Chairman to execute the agreement
after review and approval by the County Attorney.
Attachments: Staff Report
County Administrator Contract
Human Resources Director Suzanne Boyll presented the negotiated contract for
the new County Administrator John Titkanich. She highlighted the provisions of
the agreement which included: 1) Three (3) year term with provision for
consideration of renewal 90 days prior to expiration; 2) Annual Salary of
$205,000 (adjusted by any general wage increase granted to other regular
non -contract County employees); 3) $4,200 annual car allowance; 4) 20 days of
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Board of County Commissioners Special Call Meeting Minutes - Final March 21, 2023
vacation annually; 5) Participation in the Florida Retirement System Senior
Management Class; 6) Matching contribution to deferred compensation of up to
5%; 7) Eligible for other benefits on the same terms and conditions that they are
available to full-time, regular non -contract employees; and 8) 20 weeks of
severance pay if terminated without cause.
Commissioner Moss sought and received information on the origin of the three
(3) year contract term and the previous County Administrator's contract term.
She felt the three (3) year contract term was a bit short and should at least be a
five (5) year term. In response, County Attorney Dylan Reingold provided an
example of former County Administrator Jason Brown's contract which
automatically renewed annually and prior to that, County Administrator Joseph
Baird's contract was a two (2) year term. He concluded when there was a closed
deal contract, a two to three year term was typical. Ms. Boyll concluded there
was not one type of contract that fits all and the negotiated contract before the
Board ended up being a closed term contract for a three (3) year term.
Commissioner Loar sought and received additional information from Ms. Boyll
and County Attorney Reingold on the negotiations and how they came to a
salary rate including the five (5) percent matching contribution to deferred
compensation. Interim County Administrator Michael Zito explained there were
three tiers to the 457 Contribution Plan. Ms. Boyll added as base
compensation increased, whatever was the percentage of compensation, the
County would match up to five (5) percent, not to exceed the limit set forth for
in the 457 Contribution Plan. Commissioner Flescher expressed his concern of
the five (5) percent matching contribution and questioned whether any other
employee had been offered a built-in package by the County. He felt for
transparency purposes, the five (5) percent should be added to Mr. Titkanich's
salary and then he could contribute that amount to the plan. Ms. Boyll ensured
this particular contribution would be transparent and mentioned Mr. Titkanich's
contract terms were open to public records. Mr. Zito stated the way the contract
was drafted, it was fully transparent; however, if the contribution was added to
salary, the amount would be $10,250. Chairman Earman indicated that he had
no issues with Mr. Titkanich's contract. Commissioner Loar inquired whether
Colin Baenziger & Associates assisted with the drafting of the County
Administrator's contract. County Attorney Reingold replied that Mr. Titkanich's
contract involved parts of contracts from the past merged into the contract that
was before the Board. Commissioner Flescher wondered if there would be an
objection to contact Mr. Titkanich to see if he would be willing to add the five
(5) percent to his salary. A discussion followed between Commissioner
Flescher and Vice Chairman Adams on the negotiated term. Commissioner
Loar explained the concern being expressed was that there was no other
contract in the County with the five (5) percent matching contribution and the
unknown that could potentially cost the County more in the long term.
Commissioner Moss felt staff did an excellent job negotiating the contract and
hesitated involving Mr. Titkanich at this point because it put the Board in the
position of being the negotiator.
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Board of County Commissioners Special Call Meeting Minutes - Final March 21, 2023
A motion was made by Commissioner Moss, seconded by Vice Chairman Adams,
to approve staffs recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Chairman Earman, Vice Chairman Adams, Commissioner Flescher,
Commissioner Loar, and Commissioner Moss
Chairman Earman congratulated Mr. Titkanich and thanked Interim County
Administrator Michael Zito, Human Resources Director Suzanne Boyll, and
County Attorney Dylan Reingold for a wonderful job keeping him informed on the
progress on the negotiations. Mr. Zito sought and received clarification from
Chairman Earman that it would be Mr. Titkanich's decision when he would secede
from his interim appointment.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.
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Board of County Commissioners Special Call Meeting Minutes — Final March 21, 2023
ATTEST:
Jeffre . S i PA, CGFO, CGMA
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
By:
Deputy Clerk
BCC/TCL/2023 Minutes
eph H. Var, Chairman
Approved: May 16, 2023
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