Re-Opened - Closing Date is March 20, 2006
County Administrator




Broward County, Florida


Recruitment by:

Colin Baenziger & Associates
12970 Dartford Trail #8
Wellington, FL 33414
Office: (561) 793-2624
Cell: (561) 707-3537
e-mail: Colin@cb-asso.com



COUNTY ADMINSTRATOR
BROWARD COUNTY, FL




Location and Demographics

Broward County is the heart of southeast Florida nestled between Miami-Dade County on the south and Palm Beach County on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Everglades National Park on the west. Although the County covers approximately 1200 square miles, the developable portion is considerably smaller as approximately two thirds of the County is in the Florida Everglades and protected from development. With approximately 1.8 million people, it is second largest county in the state and 17th largest in the nation. The population is spread over 32 municipalities ranging in size from Fort Lauderdale (approximately 170,000 people and the county seat) to Lazy Lake (population 36). Broward County enjoys a growing population diverse in age, race, and ethnicity. In fact, approximately a third of the population is under 25, approximately a third fall between the ages of 25 and 45 and the remaining third is 45 and older. Racially and ethnically, the County is approximately 58% white (non-Hispanic), 20% African-American, 17% Hispanic with the remaining 5% being made up of Asian, Native American, and other races. Overall, the population of Broward County grew by almost 30% between 1990 and 2000.



The County

An average year-round temperature of 77° Fahrenheit and an ideal location have made Broward County a tourism Mecca and one of the driving forces of its economy. With 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches, 76 miles of reefs, 300 miles of navigable waterways, almost 190 marinas and boat yards, it is a paradise for water sports including swimming, boating, fishing, scuba diving, sailing and wind surfing among others.

Add in a wide variety of other recreational opportunities including theater (led by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts), many fine museums in the arts and sciences as well as the International Fishing Hall of Fame, the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, internationally recognized Las Olas Street, numerous art galleries, boat shows, fine dining opportunities, the Florida Panthers hockey team, Butterfly World, the Baltimore Orioles spring training facility (as well as a number of other spring training camps within a relatively short drive), some 60 golf courses, harness and thoroughbred horse racing, greyhound racing, jai-alai, film festivals and shopping opportunities. Put that all together with some 280 community, county and state parks not to mention the Everglades and you have a major international tourist destination. Development and construction have played a large role in Broward County's economy and recent growth. Since 1980, the number of residential building permits issued in Broward County has averaged over 12,000 annually. That number has slowed in recent years as the amount of available land for construction has shrunk.

Other key areas are manufacturing (over 1700 manufacturing companies call the County home) and the marine industry which has an economic impact of $8.8 billion and provides over 100,000 jobs. 		Major private employers include American Express (6,000 employees) Motorola (3,800), JM Family Enterprises (3,500) and Spirit Airlines (2,700). The result has been an unemployment rate in Broward County of 4.7% in 2004 which was well below the national average of 5.5%





Overall, Broward County has some 79,000 business establishments and represents approximately 15% of Florida's economy.



County Government

Formed in 1915, Broward County's government operates under a home rule charter adopted initially in 1974 and modified since.


The officials elected by the citizens are the: County Commissioners, Supervisor of Elections, Sheriff, Clerk of the Courts, 		Property Appraiser and county and circuit court judges. The County Commission is composed of nine members elected from single member districts. Each year the commissioners select one of their own to serve as County Mayor and another to serve as County Vice Mayor. Commissioners are elected to staggered four year terms and can serve up to three consecutive terms.

The County Commission appoints the County Administrator, County Attorney and County Auditor.

Historically, these positions have been very stable. For example, the previous County Administrator has served for seven years. The Commission also appoints a number of advisory and regulatory boards.



The County Administrator

Under the County Charter, the County Administrator's principal responsibilities are:

A. The proper administration of County matters as required by the Charter, and shall insure that all ordinances, resolutions, orders and actions of the County Commission are faithfully executed. The County Administrator shall direct and supervise the daily administration and functions of the County's departments, divisions, offices and agencies, in conformance with this Charter, County ordinances, resolutions, the Florida Constitution, and the laws of the State of Florida.

B. Appointment, suspension or removal of County employees. The Administrator may authorize any department head to appoint, suspend or remove subordinates in his/her department, division, office or agency. The Administrator shall have the power to appoint all department heads subject to the approval of the Commission. The Administrator has the sole right to suspend, remove or discharge any department head.

C. Following County Commission approval, execution of all non-legislative documents including contracts, deeds, grant applications, satisfactions, and releases when the signature by the County Administrator is not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Florida.

D. Preparation and submission of the annual budget and capital program to the County Commission, and execute the annual budget in accordance with appropriations and ordinances that the County Commission adopts. 		E. Regularly examination the accounts, records and operations of every County department, division, office or agency. The Administrator shall make regular reports on the County's financial condition, administrative matters, and other issues of concern to the County Commission.

F. Submission to the County Commission, at the end of the fiscal year, a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the County for the preceding year.

To carry out these responsibilities, the Administrator works through the Deputy County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator, each of which is responsible for a collection of Department and Offices.

All told, those entities encompass some 6,800 employees and an FY2006 projected budget of just over $3 billion (a $2 billion operating budget, $720 million in capital projects and $340 million in debt service).

Areas overseen include all the typical county functions (planning, roads, utilities, community services and so on) but also include oversight of a 600,000 square foot convention center, one of the fastest growing airports in the world (it is currently ranked 23rd in the U.S and 48th in the world in passenger trips in 2004), Port Everglades (the second busiest cruise port in the world and the 12th most container volume in the United States) and an extensive resource recovery system (with a budget of $180 million).



Commission Goals for the Administrator

In addition to its expectation that the Administrator will ensure that County services will be delivered effectively and in the most cost efficient manner possible, the Commission has provided the County Administrator with eight goals for FY 2006. These are:

  • Development of a transit/transportation program to be supported by a surtax on sales for a voter referendum, potentially as early as November 2006.
  • Affordable Housing. Improving the availability of housing to lower income groups.
  • Redevelopment (including implementing Vision Broward). In particular, the downtown redevelopment inclusive of master planning for the judicial complex and the government center campus.
  • Job Growth. Specifically to identify industry / economic targets that are the most promising to maximize value-added job growth and new capital investment by the private sector.
  • Community Wellness. Supporting programs for the elderly, the homeless and those with substance abuse issues.
  • Cultural Programs. Increasing support to both the arts and historical artifacts,
  • Environmental Preservation. Protecting the natural resources of the County.
  • Enhancing Knowledge Infrastructure. Specifically the strategic placement of knowledge and services infrastructure throughout the county.



THE CANDIDATE

Education
Requires a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or related field. Masters Degree in either discipline strongly preferred.

Desirable Experience
The ideal candidate will have at least four years of progressively more responsible management experience in local government, the military or the private sector. Knowledge of urban issues is a plus.

Management Style, Personal Traits and the County's Expectations
The selected individual will be achievement oriented with a high energy level. She/He will be able to take the County Commission's vision and turn it into a reality. Being flexible and adaptable is important but so is having high standards for his/her subordinates. She/He will have a track record demonstrating that he/she can lead an organization and instill the desired organizational values from top to bottom.

Customer service orientation and creativity are important as is the ability to build teams. The County's next Administrator must be able to play the role of a coach while also making it clear that the County Commission's, as well as his/her own expectations, will be met. Accountability is important to this organization.

She/He will also display a common sense approach to government and a talent for simplifying the interface between the government and its residents. She/He should be comfortable with change and with making changes. Being knowledgeable about technology and its capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness are advantages.

She/He will have exceptional communication skills and be as comfortable making presentations to Fortune 500 executives as to the man on the street. She/He will be candid with the elected officials, provide them with viable alternatives and treat them equally. She/He will be politically astute but not politically involved.
Compensation and Benefits
Hiring Salary Range: $225,000 to $275,000. Pension is provided through the Florida Retirement System and the County offers many other excellent benefits.


How to Apply

E-mail your resume to RecruitTen@cb-asso.com before March 20, 2006. Mailed and/or faxed resumes will not be accepted. Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of Services as well as a Drug Free Work Place. Veteran's preference under Florida Law will be awarded if applicable. If you are requesting a Veteran's preference, a DD214 form must be submitted with your application. Under the Florida Public Records Act, all applications are a matter of public record once submitted and subject to disclosure. Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to Colin Baenziger at Colin Baenziger & Associates at (561) 793-2624 for more information.