Commission approves Reid's contract

The Sarasota County Commission unanimously approved a new contract for new County Administrator Randall H. Reid at a board retreat Thursday at the Sarasota County Administration Center.

Reid will receive an annual base salary of $190,000 and will start officially at a date yet to be determined toward the end of January.

The proposed contract includes a tighter termination clause than the one that was in effect for former Administrator James Ley when he resigned in late May, in the wake of the county’s Procurement Department scandal.

“There was a lot of expectations from the community that I think was reflected in this contract,” said Commissioner Jon Thaxton. “When I speak to citizens, I can say there interests were upheld and represented. They got a contract that doesn’t put us in a position like we were before, which was one of vulnerability.”

Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis has agreed to extend his contract until Feb. 15 to aid Reid in his transition.

Also at its retreat, the commission nominated Commissioner Christine Robinson as its chair and Commissioner Carolyn Mason as its vice chair for 2012.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].