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Hernando Today

The Emergency Management Shuffle

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: July 22, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The county's streamlining tendrils have snaked into yet another department and entwined the emergency management department.

County Administrator David Hamilton is recommending the title of emergency management director be eliminated and, in its place, a new position created - a position that Hamilton believes more accurately reflects the current organizational structure of county government.

Instead of a director, the department would hire an emergency management manager at a lower pay grade ranging from $49,999 to $79,100.

The streamlining plan would save taxpayers some $22,500 a year, according to Hamilton.

Right now, first in line for the manager's position is expected to be Cecilia Patella, who became interim department director in June. Patella now reports to Health and Human Services Director Jean Rags, whose role in the reorganization is still to be decided.

The manager would take on some of the same job duties as director, including retaining the designation as full-time professional emergency management program administrator. According to the job description, the manager would plan, organize, coordinate and direct all county emergency management activities.

County Commissioner David Russell said he believes Patella would make a fine manager.

"I do know that Cecilia has gained the confidence of David Hamilton," Russell said.

Patella was roundly praised for her handling of last month's hurricane drill. She has 17 years experience in project management, business continuity and disaster recovery in the private and public sectors.

The position title change must be approved by county commissioners, who are scheduled to discuss it at their business meeting today.

But even if approved, another change to the department could be just around the corner.

The county continues its ongoing discussions to fold the Emergency Management Department into the sheriff's department operations. Russell said he is "very confident that is going to happen eventually."

If it does, Russell is hopeful that Patella would continue to have a role in emergency management operations.

"There would still need to be a county presence, naturally, and it seems that Patella would be a good segue to that end," Russell said.

It would be unclear what role, if any, Rags would have should the operations be taken over by the sheriff.

The county's emergency management department has been in state of flux since May, when ex-director Tom Leto was fired for questionable management practices and an alleged romantic involvement with his secretary.

The secretary, Stephanie Anderson, quit and was eventually arrested on allegations that she falsified official payroll documents and received payment for overtime she did not work.

Hamilton fired Leto soon after and named Mark Tobert, who was the department's senior emergency management coordinator, as interim director.

But about a month later, citing dissatisfaction with a hurricane drill, Hamilton removed Tobert from the position and restructured the department.

He promoted Patella, the county's hazard mitigation and recovery coordinator, to interim director.

He also appointed Rags to oversee the department.

Since taking the job of county administrator in March, Hamilton has adopted a "less managers-better management" philosophy, which includes streamlining of departments and administrative roles.

Despite the administrative moves and recent upheavals in emergency management, Russell assured residents the department is ready to meet the needs of the community should a hurricane hit.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

"We are well-equipped (and) well staffed to handle any emergency that might arise," he said.

Commissioner Rose Rocco said she would also like to see Patella considered for the manager's position.

"She got all the qualifications," Rocco said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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