The Escambia County Commission engaged in a lengthy discussion Thursday morning about how to approach the upcoming contract review for County Administrator Wes Moreno, with commissioners divided on the timing and format of the evaluation process.
Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger requested placing Moreno’s contract on the March 6 agenda for discussion, citing the six-month window before the contract renewal date and expressing a desire to plan ahead. However, other commissioners pushed back on the proposed timeline and the public nature of such a discussion.
- “From an HR standpoint, you don’t wait until 30 days out to decide if you’re going to renegotiate or replace or suspend that contract,” Hofberger said.
Commissioner Lumon May expressed concerns about holding a public discussion about personnel matters, warning it could destabilize the organization. “Once an administrator doesn’t have the support of his board, he’s a lame duck,” May said, emphasizing Moreno’s 38-year tenure with the county.
Deputy County Attorney Kristin Hual clarified that the administrator’s contract provides two review options: individual reviews within a six-month window before expiration, or a collective review within 30 days of expiration in July.
Commissioner Steven Barry indicated he regularly provides feedback to both the administrator and county attorney. “I’m giving them an evaluation on a biweekly basis,” Barry said, adding that he wouldn’t support putting the contract discussion on the March 6 agenda.
Commission Chairman Mike Kohler suggested commissioners should individually meet with Moreno over the next month to voice any concerns about county operations. He expressed strong disapproval about how some aspects were being handled, specifically mentioning an incident where someone called him about the job while he was getting off a plane.
- “I don’t like how this process is going,” Kohler said. He told the county administrator, “I’m going to dignify your 38 years of service. I am not going to have someone call me and tell me they’re going for the job.”
He emphasized that any changes should be part of a “deliberated process” where everyone on the board has a “collective voice.” The chairman added, “Commissioner Hoffberger, I don’t know if you were involved with it or I think you know who called me, but I would rather do business a little bit different for me. And I’m just saying that I don’t like doing that with people.”
The commission ultimately did not move forward with scheduling a formal discussion for March 6, instead appearing to favor individual meetings between commissioners and Moreno in the coming weeks before addressing the contract renewal closer to its expiration date in August.
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