§ 2.3. Executive Branch.

A.

The County Manager.

(1)

The County Manager shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners. The County Manager shall be the chief executive officer of the County and all executive responsibilities and power shall be assigned to and vested in the County Manager. The County Manager shall exercise all executive authority provided by this Home Rule Charter in addition to all other powers and duties authorized by general or special law.

(2)

The County Manager shall be qualified by administrative and executive experience and ability to serve as the chief administrator of the County. The County Manager must have a master's degree in public or business administration, or a juris doctor, at least three (3) years experience as a manager or assistant manager of a county or city; or bachelor's degree in the same educational fields and at least five (5) years like experience; or at least eight (8) years experience in the administration of government, business or industry and be able to demonstrate knowledge of county governmental operations. The County Manager shall be appointed by an affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the Board of County Commissioners. The County Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners. The County Manager need not be a resident of the County at the time of appointment, but during the tenure in office the County Manager shall within one (1) calendar year of appointment establish and maintain domicile within the County.

(3)

The compensation of the County Manager shall be established by the Board of County Commissioners.

(4)

The office of the County Manager shall be deemed vacant if the incumbent moves his residence from the County or is by death, illness, or other casualty, unable to continue in office. A vacancy in the office shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The Board of County Commissioners may appoint an acting County Manager in the case of vacancy or temporary absence or disability until a successor has been appointed and qualified or the County Manager returns.

B.

County Department Heads.

(1)

The County department heads shall be appointed by and shall be responsible to the County Manager. All department head appointments must be with the advice and consent the Board of County Commissioners.

(2)

The County Manager shall have the sole authority to suspend or discharge any department head with or without cause.

C.

County Attorney. There shall be a County Attorney appointed by majority vote of the Board of County Commissioners and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The County Attorney shall supervise the Office of County Attorney. The County Attorney may appoint assistant county attorneys and support staff subject to budget approval and special counsel as may be required upon approval of the Board of County Commissioners. The County Attorney shall report directly to the Board of County Commissioners. The Office of County Attorney shall provide legal services to the Board of County Commissioners, and such other County departments, boards and agencies as specified by the Board of County Commissioners. The County Attorney shall be admitted to practice law in the State of Florida. The compensation of the County Attorney shall be established by the Board of County Commissioners.

D.

Office of Commission Auditor. The County Commission shall appoint an auditor who shall be a Certified Public Accountant or Public Accountant as defined under the Laws of Florida governing the practice of Public Accountancy in Florida, or such other person qualified by education or experience in governmental accounting, internal auditing practices and fiscal controls. The Commission Auditor shall serve at the pleasure of the County Commission.

The auditor shall be responsible for the maintenance of internal financial controls and for the performance of such other duties assigned by the County Commission. To the degree necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the office, the auditor shall have the power and authority to:

1.

Conduct financial and compliance, economy and efficiency, and performance audits of Charter government and officials with written reports submitted to both the County Commission and the County Manager.

2.

Have free and unrestricted access to Charter government employees, officials, records, and reports; and where appropriate, require all branches, departments, and officials of Charter government to provide oral and written reports and to produce documents, files, and other records.

(Ord. No. 91-12, § 1, 10-21-91)