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Escambia County is located in the far northwestern area of Florida, bordered on the west and north by Alabama, on the east by Santa Rosa County, and on the South by the Gulf of Mexico. It encompasses 661 square miles, or 420,480 acres, with an additional 64,000 acres of water area.

Situated in a temperate zone, Escambia County averages 343 days of sunshine each year with a mean temperature of 68.4 degrees. Its climate is typical of the upper Gulf Coast; winters are mild and the southern breezes from the Gulf of Mexico temper the summer heat.

Escambia County has a population of approximately 300,000. Ninety-five percent of the growth in the County in the last ten years has been in the unincorporated area of the County.

There are two municipalities within the County, the largest of which is Pensacola, the County seat. Home to a naval installation, Pensacola is also attracting other new business. Advantage Credit International, a credit report processor, ranks No. 8 among Florida’s fastest-growing businesses based on revenues, according to a study by

The University of Florida. Network Telephone Co., a provider of local telecommunication services, recorded $1 million in revenues in less than a year. It provides service to more than 20 markets and expects to reach more than 60 before year- end. It has announced plans to go public.

Pensacola’s deep-water port has direct interstate access and offers a shipping gateway to the Caribbean, South America, Africa and European markets. Two rail lines, CSX and Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway serve the port.

Delta, Continental, US Airways, Northwest, COMAIR and general aviation serve Pensacola Regional Airport. It is also served by all major air express carriers and is the home base for Airborne Express.

The beach at Fort Pickens National Park is located on Santa Rosa Island and is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and is protected by federal statutes and will remain forever in its natural state. A portion of Peridio Key is also protected as a National Park, as is the Naval Live Oaks Reservation.

Many are enticed to Escambia County by the great weather, accessibility to water for personal recreation, and affordability of housing. The median sales price for existing single-family homes in the Pensacola metro area was $99,600 in 1999, up 7% over 1998, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. The average resale price statewide was $106,900. Pensacola was ranked No. 2 for quality of life by Money Magazine.

Pensacola is a blend of old and new, seasoned with plenty of Navy blue. The area’s storied pass has blended an intriguing mix of Spanish, French, British and American Influences. The white sandy beaches of Pensacola Beach and Peridio Key are known throughout the U.S. Its proximity to Alabama gives it an extra helping of Southern hospitality, and its Sunshine State location attracts people lured by Florida’s climate—and its freedom from State income taxes.

For more information regarding Escambia County, please visit these websites:
http://www.co.escambia.fl.us, 
http://www.siteone.com/towns/escambia.htm, and
http://www.pensacolachamber.com/econinfo/overview.html.

Board of County Commissioners

Escambia County is organized as a non-charter government established by the constitution of the state of Florida. The legislative and policy making powers are vested with the five-member Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners responsibilities include: passing ordinances and resolutions, adopting the budget and levying a property tax on real and personal property, appointing boards and committees and hiring the County Administrator and County Attorney. Board members are elected by district on a partisan basis for four- year staggered terms. The current Board of Commissioners is comprised of D.M. "Mike" Whitehead (Chair, District 1), Mike Bass (District 2), Willie J. Junior (Vice Chair, District 3), Tom Banajanin (District 4) and Wilson Robertson (District 5). The Chairman presides over the Board and is selected by the members annually. The next general election is November 7,2000 with three district seats open. Returning Board Members will be Tom Banjanin (in his second term) and Mike Bass(also in his second term). Mr. Junior is running for re-election. A primary will occur September 5, 2000. The Board meets at the Escambia County Courthouse Building on the first and fourth Tuesday of each month. Florida’s "Government in the Sunshine’’ law requires that all county government affairs take place in public meetings and that the public be given adequate notice of such meetings. The County Attorney represents the County Commission and all other departments, divisions, boards and offices in legal matters affecting the county.

Constitutional Officers

Separate powers for operation of specific functions of County government are vested with the five Constitutional Officers—the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector. The Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the County, acting as accountant, auditor, recorder, the custodian of all county funds and ex-officio clerk to the Board. The Property Appraiser is responsible for the determination of values for all real and tangible property. The Sheriff’s Department provides County-wide police protection and crime prevention programs including road patrol, detective investigation, correctional services, court services and a crime laboratory. It also operates the County Jail. The Supervisor of Elections has responsibility for all matters pertaining to the registration of electors and qualifications of candidates seeking public office.

County Administrator

The County Administrator is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Board. The County Administrator is the chief administrative officer of the county and responsible for the efficient and effective delivery of services under the Board. The County Administrator serves as Budget Officer and is responsible for the preparation of the Annual Budget. The County Administrator appoints a Deputy County Administrator, Assistant County Administrator and all department heads with the confirmation of the Board. The County Administrator serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners with respect to the functions of officials and boards not under the jurisdiction of the Board.

In the State of Florida, county budgets are governed by State Statute. By law, the County’s budget must be in balance, both on an overall basis and within each of the funds. Escambia County’s budget is based on October 1-September fiscal year. The Office of Management and Budget, in conjunction with input received from the Departments, prepares revenue forecasts and updates revenue projections for the budget year. Departments, State and Outside Agencies, and Constitutional Officers then complete their budget proposals and are presented by the Budget Review Committee (County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, Assistant County Administrator, and the Director of Administrative Services). The Office of Management and Budget prepares the County Administrator’s Proposed Budget for presentation to the Board in July. The Board holds budget Work Sessions during July to review the Proposed Budget. Any changes directed by the Board are incorporated into the Tentative Final Budget in September.

The Proposed Budget for FY2000-2001 is approximately $294 million ($132 general fund operating, $34 million enterprise, $34 million capital improvements, $23 million debt and $56 million special revenue, other $12.7 million).

The County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association for the fourth year. The County has also received the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting.

This past year, the County’s bond rating from Standard and Poors Investor Rating Service was upgraded from A+ to AA-. Characteristics of Escambia County contributing to the bond upgrading include:

• Regional service and retail center, anchored by a stable military presence
• Improved financial management structure and controls
• Tax rate flexibility
• Manageable debt, coupled with limited future debt needs because most of the projects will be funded using the local option sales tax;
• Concentrated economic base with three leading taxpayers representing 9.4% of the tax base.

The County employs 2,393 full time equivalent workers. These employees are divided among the Board of County Commissioners and the five constitutional officers. The Sheriff has 1,027 FTE's, the Board has 939 FTE’s and the other constitutional officers employ the remaining 490 FTE’s.

County Departments

The County provides a wide range of services including law enforcement, fire protection, conservation and resource management, employment opportunity and development, parks and recreation facilities, planning and zoning, transportation, and general administrative services.

The County Administrator oversees the operation of 13 departments, including: Administrative Services (Budget, Purchasing, Risk Management, Human Resources, Property Management); Information Resources; Public Works; Engineering; Growth Management (Planning & Zoning, Site Plan Review & Urban Design, Comprehensive Planning; Building Official; Solid Waste; Neighborhood & Environmental Services; Facilities Management; Parks & Recreation; Community Services (Human Assistance); Public Safety (Fire, EMS, Emergency Preparedness, Animal Regulation); and Economic Development.

These goals were adopted by the County Board as part of the overall framework of the current year budget:

• Enhance County government’s public image
• Improve delivery of neighborhood and public services to the highest level possible
• Strengthen customer-service orientation
• Capitalize on alternative revenue generation without increasing the tax burden
• Foster economic growth and development
• Cultivate development of a quality work force
• Institutionalize continual reassessment and improvement of customer service, internal processes, methodology, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness

The Proposed Budget anticipates a 6% increase for all civil service employees and unclassified employees below the rank of Division Head. The Proposed Budget also continues awarding merit based on performance; so personal services includes a 3% merit pool for FY2000/01 and funding a bonus program for employees. The Proposed Budget also continues funding Automation of County services through local and wide area network development, modernizing our financial and management systems, Geographic Information Systems, Document Management and training of employees in the most efficient methods of performing their services to the public.

The FY2000/01 Proposed Budget notes that the major capital and infrastructure improvements (financed in large part by the Local Option Sales Tax) will generate new personnel, maintenance and operating costs for the County.

Future Vision

In order for Escambia County to meet the needs of the community a long-term vision of where the community needs to be must be established and the focus of the County government’s goals and objectives should be to accomplish this mission. Strategies should be set to allow the County to measure effectiveness, efficiency, adaptability and the resulting customer satisfaction. These strategies include:

• Establishing the core process
• Establishing the County government’s key responsibilities to the constituents
• Proactively recruit a quality workforce and continue to maintain and improve employee training programs
• Incorporate a method of meritorious pay that is swift, fair, visible and provide consequences for lack of pursuit of excellence and quality
• Actively market Escambia County as the place to own and operate a business
• Operate the County in a cooperative and businesslike- manner as possible and still provide the public with the best services.

The vacancy is being created due to the retirement of Barry Evans. Mr. Evans served in the position for six years and has a distinguished professional background in local government administration.

The military continues to be a large factor in the area economy. Navy and Air Force expenditures, including construction, have historically accounted for nearly half of the total payroll in the Pensacola MSA. Navy installations include Pensacola Naval Air Station, Saufley Field and Corry Station. Whiting Field is located in Milton, Florida, about 30 miles northeast of Pensacola. The Federal Base Closure and Realignment Commission, like elsewhere, had an impact on the area. While some jobs were lost, the relocation of the Naval Air Technical Training Center from Memphis to Pensacola helped to offset the economic impact.

The County has supported overall economic and industrial development in the area. The County Administrator is expected to work with the City and the Chamber of Commerce in recruiting new business to the area.

Within the organization, the strength of the County’s middle/executive management team has been improved over the past six years and County programs and services are continually being modernized.

Financial stability has also been restored to the County after losses in the mid -1990’s from investments in derivatives by the County Comptroller. The Comptroller’s position was abolished with the responsibilities distributed between the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the County Board. The local option sales tax was also extended in by voters 1997 which is expected to yield more than $258 million for community infrastructure projects over an 8-year period.

Candidate Profile

The next County Administrator is expected to provide leadership for staff and employees and have a proven record of success managing a large organization. The successful candidate should be a "consensus builder" with the ability to work positively with a wide range of people and personalities. The next County Administrator should be a facilitator and have the ability to bring people together to achieve common goals and priorities.

A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s Degree in Public Administration or related field is highly desirable, but not required. A strong record of continuing professional development will be expected. A minimum of seven- years responsible experience in local government administration at the level of department head or assistant county administrator is required. A diverse background in all aspects of county administration and significant, direct responsibility for management of county operations is preferred.

The ideal candidate should have prior experience in growth-management and previous experience handling sensitive environmental issues. The next County Administrator should have a strong background in financial management, budgeting, human resource management and in the preparation and oversight of infrastructure development programs. A record of successful intergovernmental cooperation is necessary. A thorough understanding of the role of constitutional officers in a county government context is very important.

Interpersonal Characteristics and Skills

The Board of Commissioners is seeking a County Administrator with highly developed interpersonal and communications ability. The successful candidate will be adept at working with and communicating to employees at all levels of the county organization and the community. The next County Administrator must maintain open lines of communication with the Board of County Commissioners, Constitutional Officers and be very comfortable working within Florida’s Sunshine Law.

The next Administrator of Escambia County must have strong leadership skills, with the ability direct a large staff and impart a desire for attaining the highest levels of performance, customer service and professional conduct by all employees.

A modern participative management style is required. The current salary for the position is $107,000; new salary will be competitive/negotiable, depending upon qualifications and experience.

The successful candidate must agree to become a resident of the County within one year. The County is a Equal Employment Employer.

By ordinance, the salary of the County Administrator is determined by averaging the compensation paid to the Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, and Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Supervisor of Elections. The current base compensation is $107,000.

A seven-member citizens search committee has been appointed by the County Board to assist in the selection of a new County Administrator. Final interviews for the position are scheduled for November 2000.

Individuals interested in applying for the position should send their resume to the County’s executive search consultant: Gerald Plock, Gerald Plock Associates, Inc., 7501 Stallion Circle, Flower Mound, TX 75022.

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