Sarasota County Commission ousts Reid

Sarasota County Administrator Randall Reid has been handed his two-week notice.

Four of five Sarasota County commissioners voted to terminate Reid Wednesday, Oct. 23, with Commissioner Nora Patterson as the lone dissenter. Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason made the motion after discussing three lackluster performance reviews given to Reid by commissioners.

With just a 3-2 vote, the commission would have had to convene in three weeks to make the final decision, but Commission Vice Chairman Charles Hines, who gave Reid a positive review, voted in favor of termination so the issue didn’t “fester.”

"I don't think you grasped the job from a business perspective,” said Commissioner Joe Barbetta, who penned one of the negative performance reviews. Barbetta said Reid and his staff were consistently reactive in situations rather than proactive.

The county's contract with Reid requires a written notice to the county administrator two weeks before he is terminated without cause.

Commissioners voted on a suggestion from Patterson to appoint Deputy County Administrator Tom Harmer at the top county position in the interim.

The county hired Reid less than two years ago in the wake of the procurement scandal that ended with the firing of former County Administrator Jim Ley.

"I wish it hadn't gotten to this point," said Commissioner Christine Robinson.