Commissioners Discuss Interview Policy, Or Lack Of One

Fire commissioners recently agreed not to get involved in the district's hiring process.

They decided the chief would have the authority to hire and fire employees as Spring Hill Fire Rescue makes the transition to becoming an independent district.

When fire commissioner Amy Brosnan sat in during the interviewing process for newly hired budget director Terri McClanahan last month, some wondered why she was invited.

"Are we permitted to be there, is one permitted or are all of us permitted to go?" asked fire commissioner Rob Giammarco during Wednesday's public meeting.

His question came minutes after a resident brought it up at the start of the meeting.

McClanahan's first day was Monday. She had previously worked for the Hernando County Office of Management and Budget.

Chief Mike Rampino said Brosnan was asked to sit on the panel - along with him and Assistant Chief Bill Davies - because of her accounting background.

Harry Chamberlain, a Spring Hill resident who regularly attends the meetings, said Brosnan was "not authorized" to be there as a commissioner. If she was there as a citizen, then it was "inappropriate," he said.

Andrew Salzman, the board's attorney, said any one of the commissioners could attend an interview. It only becomes problematic when two or more are in attendance.

Florida law prohibits two or more commissioners from meeting or communicating in private. There are exceptions, but not when it comes to hiring new employees.

"We in no way violated policy of this district, did we?" asked Chairman Leo Jacobs.

"Unless there is a policy law prohibiting it, it's allowed ... that's how laws work," answered Salzman.

Brosnan remained silent during the discussion. She was the only fire commissioner who didn't speak.

Rampino said he made the request on his own.

"I can't have two of you in a room at the same time because we'd be in edgy waters," he told fire commissioners. "Don't point the finger at any commissioner. Point it at me."

Giammarco complained the discussion was overblown and that he was not making accusations. He was only asking questions.

"I'm not bringing this up to accuse anyone of any wrongdoing," he said.

The discussions lasted for several more minutes, at which time Rampino addressed the board.

"I can put a stop to this," he said. "I won't ask anymore. Can we please move on?"

In other district news:

McClanahan was asked to introduce herself during the meeting by the chairman.

She gave a brief summary of her background and told the board and audience she was looking forward to the job.

After she finished, fire commissioner John Pasquale leaned into his microphone and asked, "Are you single?"

Jacobs then joked, "Are the checks coming out tomorrow?"

The chairman was heavily criticized during Wednesday's meeting.

Giammarco was among those critical of Jacobs. He disapproved of how he asked McClanahan to introduce herself in the middle of the meeting without warning.

He blamed him for putting her in an "awkward situation."