Agenda Item Name:
Title
Gubernatorial Recommendation for Appointment of Individuals to the Children's Trust of Alachua County
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Presenter:
Claudia Tuck, 352-231-0058
Description:
In accordance with Ordinance 18-08 that created the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, five of its 10 members are appointed by the Governor from a list of names recommended by the Alachua County Board of Commissioners. Two members of the Children’s Trust terms are ending December 31, 2022. The Board may select for recommendation, at least three individuals for each vacancy to a new term ending December 31, 2026.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Select at least three names from the applications received to nominate to the Governor to fill the Incumbent seat of Dr. Snyder and select at least three names to fill the vacated seat of Dr. Labarta. Authorize the Chair to send a letter to the Governor’s Office with the nominated names.
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Prior Board Motions:
N/A
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
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Strategic Guide:
Social and Economic Opportunity
Background:
On 2/27/18 the Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance 18-08 creating the Children’s Trust of Alachua County and placing it on the ballot for a referendum. The Ordinance defines the Trust as a 10 member board comprised of five designated members; the superintendent of schools; a local school board member, chosen by a majority of the School Board of Alachua County; the district administrator from District Ill of the Department of Children and Family Services, or his or her designee who is a member of the Senior Management Service or of the Selected Exempt Service; one member of the County Commission, chosen by a majority of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners; and a judge assigned to juvenile cases.
The remaining five members are appointed by the Governor, and shall, to the extent possible, represent the demographic diversity of the population of Alachua County. After soliciting recommendations from the public, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners shall submit to the Governor the names of at least three persons for each vacancy occurring among the five members to be appointed by the Governor, and the Governor shall appoint members to the council from the candidates nominated. The Governor shall make a selection within a 45-day period or request a new list of candidates. All members appointed by the Governor shall have been residents of Alachua County for the previous 24-month period.
During the 11/6/18 General Election, 61.96% of those voting approved the referendum creating the Trust and providing it with the authority to levy up to .5 mil. In response, on 12/11/18, the Board of County Commissioners considered 71 applications received for possible nomination to the Governor. The Board selected 15 names and placed them into five groups of three each, for possible nomination to staggered terms of one, two, three, and four years.
On 2/14/20, Governor DeSantis appointed Dr. Karen Cole-Smith to a one year term, Charles (Lee) Pinkoson to a two year term, and Dr. Snyder and Dr. Labarta to a three year term, and Dr. Hardt to a four year term.
In response to the expiring term of Dr. Cole-Smith, on 12/8/20, the Board of Commissioners nominated Dr. Cole-Smith, Elizabeth Patton, and Robert Paige for consideration by the Governor. To date, the Governor has not made an appointment for that expired term. Since then, Dr. Cole-Smith and Elizabeth Patton both requested the Governor’s Office remove their names from further consideration. On 11/28/22, Dr. Cole-Smith submitted a letter to the Trust resigning her position effective 1/18/23. A copy of the resignation letter was subsequently sent to the Governor’s Office.
On 12/14/21, in response to the expiring term of Charles (Lee) Pinkoson, the Board nominated Charles (Lee) Pinkoson, Ray Holt, and Kathy Dixon for consideration by the Governor. To date, the Governor has not acted on these nominations.
In response to the expiring terms of Dr. Snyder and Dr. Labarta, staff issued a Press Release on 10/20/22 announcing the acceptance of applications to be considered by the Board of Commissioners at the 12/13/22 meeting. The release indicated applications must be received by Friday, 11/18/22, to be considered at the 12/13/22, County Commission meeting. In total, 12 applications have been received, 11 prior to the 11/18/22 deadline and one was received from Mary Chance on 11/21/22.