SUBJECT
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Confirm Appointment of Mr. Jerard (Jerry) Rodriguez to serve as the Director of the Polk County Building Division.
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DESCRIPTION
The Polk County Charter specifies the county manager’s appointment of executive service employees is subject to confirmation by the Board of County Commissioners.
The County Manager has appointed Mr. Jerard Rodriguez to the position of Director of the Polk County Building Division, effective August 24, 2026.
Mr. Rodriguez brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in land development, municipal planning, zoning, code compliance, entitlement review, and forward planning across the public and private sectors. Most recently, he served as Land Development Project Manager Lead I and Forward Planning Manager with D.R. Horton.
His public-sector experience includes serving as a Planner with the Polk County Board of County Commissioners from 1998 to 2005, as well as holding leadership roles with Polk County Public Schools and the cities of Dade City, Bushnell, and Davenport. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong ability to led teams, manage budgets and operations, mentor staff, coordinate complex development and regulatory matters, and effectively present projects and recommendations before public boards and commissions.
Mr. Rodriguez holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Southern College, a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of South Florida, and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Polk Community College. He also served in the United States Marine Corps as a Corporal / Field Radio Operator.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend the Board confirm the Manager’s appointment of Mr. Rodriguez to serve as the Director of the Polk County Building Division, effective August 24, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Building Director is an authorized position in the adopted budget, and the existing appropriations are sufficient to cover the negotiated annual base salary of $146,411.20 and employment benefits at approximately $40,728.00.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Bill Beasley
County Manager
863-534-6444
billbeasley@polkfl.gov