By GARETT VALCOURT
Holmes County officials are beginning discussions over the future of one of the county’s key administrative positions following the resignation of Project Coordinator David Corbin, who has set November 16 as his final day with the county.
Corbin’s departure will conclude eight years of service to Holmes County and more than 40 years of public service in the Florida Panhandle.
The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners discussed Corbin’s resignation and the process for filling the position during a special meeting Friday, September 4. Much of the discussion centered not only on who should replace Corbin, but whether the county should reconsider the duties and title of the position before hiring a successor.
Commissioner Wilmer Stafford questioned whether the county needs to hire another project coordinator under the position’s existing structure. Stafford said several responsibilities historically associated with the position are no longer handled through that office and have instead been transferred to Holmes County Sheriff John Tate.
Stafford suggested the county may be better served by creating or emphasizing a public works director position that more closely reflects the duties the county currently needs performed.
Commissioner Wade Ellenberg said his priority was ensuring the county does not experience a gap in the position and suggested beginning the application process soon enough for Corbin’s successor to work alongside him before his departure.
Ellenberg pointed to the amount of day-to-day communication and coordination involved in the position, including matters involving Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law and other administrative decisions requiring regular attention.
Stafford proposed forming a committee to review applicants and select the top three candidates for consideration by the commission. He suggested a committee consisting of Holmes County Sheriff’s Office Human Resources Director Lauren Morris, Clerk of Court Sam Bailey and Commissioners-elect Randon Tate and Rodney Bowers.
Commissioner Clint Erickson questioned whether including the two commissioners-elect on such a committee could create concerns under Florida’s Sunshine Law.
County Attorney Nate Nolin said he saw no issue with the proposed process provided the meetings and interviews were properly noticed and conducted publicly in accordance with open-government requirements.
Erickson also suggested approaching Corbin about the possibility of remaining with the county beyond his planned departure, potentially until after December 1, to provide additional transition time for whoever ultimately assumes the position.
Erickson said he would also like the commission to hold a special workshop, open to the public, to further discuss the position and hiring process.
The role of the incoming commissioners in selecting Corbin’s successor also became a point of discussion during the meeting.
Holmes County resident Anthony Register told the board he believed Commissioners-elect Tate and Bowers should have a voice in the process because voters had selected them to serve on the commission.
Ellenberg reiterated his concern about allowing the county to go without someone performing the position’s duties because of its importance to daily county operations.
Register responded by noting Ellenberg originally joined the commission through a gubernatorial appointment rather than election and argued that the commissioners recently elected by voters should have a say in choosing the next person for the position.
The exchange between Ellenberg and Register continued briefly before Erickson brought the discussion to a close.
Questions also remain regarding what the position will ultimately look like. Commissioners discussed whether the county should maintain the existing pay rate and what duties should be included in a revised job description.
Public questions during the meeting also prompted discussion about the workload currently handled by the county attorney. Nolin indicated he would like some responsibilities presently handled through his office shifted back to the county administrative position, regardless of the title ultimately selected by commissioners.
The discussion ended without a final decision on the title, job description, salary or hiring process, leaving those issues for the board to address as it works toward selecting Corbin’s successor and determining how the position will function moving forward.
AMBER PATINO 
Staff Report 