Hofberger failed to put Moreno’s employment on the agenda for discussion at the March 6 commission meeting. She got zero support from her fellow commissioners.
MORENO’S WORK EXPERIENCE
Wes Moreno has worked for Escambia County for nearly four decades, starting on a road crew. His positions include:
1. Maintenance worker
2. Equipment operator
3. Road correction officer
4. Engineering technician
5. Chief of construction management
6. Deputy bureau chief of public works
7. Deputy Director of Public Works
8. Director of Public Works
9. Deputy County Administrator
He was named interim county administrator in June 2021 and made county administrator in 2022. Under Moreno’s leadership, the county hit significant infrastructure milestones in FY 2023-24, completing $100 million in projects. In the past, the county has averaged 75 to 80 procurement solicitations annually. Moreno told me in December, “Now we’re running 135 to 140 solicitations and putting work out the door.”
FIBBING
Hofberger told the News Journal that she has no specific candidate in mind to replace Moreno. However, she wants someone local.
- Chief Deputy Sheriff Tommi Lyter made phone calls about being the next county administrator, saying that a county commissioner had asked him to consider the job.
- County Commission Chairman Mike Kohler mentioned that he had received a phone call but didn’t name Lyter as the caller. However, I have three confirmations that Lyter made the calls.
Kohler strongly disapproved that “someone called him about the job while he was getting off a plane.” He chastised his District 4 colleague, “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.”
According to the commission meeting video, Commissioners Kohler, Steve Barry, and Lumon May didn’t tell Lyter to apply for the non-vacant job. Commissioner Steve Stroberger sat silently during the discussion.
- Either Hofberger convinced Lyter that he was a shoo-in for the job, or Lyter fibbed when he made the call. Lyter has never been anything but candid and honest with me in any of our conversations.