SUBJECT
title
Approve selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff negotiate agreements with Janet A. McDonald and Seth B. Claytor to serve as Land Use Hearing Officers. (No Fiscal Impact)
body
DESCRIPTION
Planning and Development requested Procurement solicit applicants to serve as land use hearing officers to conduct public hearings for select cases currently heard by the Polk County Board of Adjustment, and make final decisions on appeals currently reviewed by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and County Manager.
Request for Information (RFI) 25-590 Land Use Hearing Officers was issued and two applicants submitted resumés. The committee met on Friday, October 10, 2025, to discuss the resumés submitted. Two applicants were elevated for interviews on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. After the interviews, the consensus of the committee was to request the Board authorize staff to enter into contract negotiations with both applicants interviewed. The committee recommends appointing two (2) Land Use Hearing Officers. The two highest-ranked applicants will rotate monthly, alternating hearing assignments. They will also handle appeals on a rotational basis and/or serve as alternates in the event of a conflict or other circumstance preventing attendance at their scheduled hearing.
The following is a listing of the applicants and their rankings:
|
Applicant |
City |
Rank |
|
Janet A. McDonald |
Lakeland, FL |
1 |
|
Seth B. Claytor |
Bartow, FL |
2 |
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the committee’s recommendation and authorize staff to enter into negotiations with all applicants interviewed in regards to RFI 25-590 Land Use Hearing Officers.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact during negotiations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabatha Shirah
Sr. Procurement Analyst
(863) 534-5935
tabathashirah@polk-county.net