LARGO –– The Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board was expected Thursday to hire an interim executive director to replace Rodney Fischer, who resigned after his tenure and performance at the agency came under scrutiny.
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Instead, the private contractors and building and fire officials who sit on the 21-member governing board went rogue.
SPECIAL REPORT: Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board plays fast and loose with disciplinary process
They rejected hiring Gay Lancaster, a former county administrator who was recommended by state Sen. Jack Latvala. New leadership was the solution proposed by Latvala, who promised to block any legislative attempt to reform the agency.
SPECIAL REPORT: Pinellas licensing board leader Rodney Fischer described as a ‘bully’ and ‘suspicious’ in clashes with employees and county officials
But the private contractors ignored the senator. Instead, they want Anne Maddox continue running the agency. She’s the agency’s office manager and longtime assistant to Fischer.
That incensed Latvala.
"You’ve go to be kidding me …," he said. "I have to see if I can fix this. It might be time to do something dramatic. I am getting my staff to look at how we can accomplish some sort or change, to bring accountability and transparency to that board.
"I told the interim chairman he better hold onto his hat. It’s an embarrassment for all of us Starting this afternoon, we’re looking for a path to take control away from that board.
"If that means I have to get the governor involved, I will."
The licensing board was created by the Florida Legislature but doesn’t report to county government. Only new legislation can change that. Latvala had opposed such a fix, but now says he’ll support that direction.
Thursday’s meeting revealed a schism on the governing board. The seven public officials on the board supported hiring Lancaster. But the private board members said they wanted someone with construction experience, not a government bureaucrat.
This latest twist blindsided Latvala. Last week, he rejected a request by the Pinellas County Commission to fold the troubled agency under county control. He again stressed Thursday that the county’s request did not meet the proper public notice requirements for proposed legislation. He also worried about crafting radical legislation in such a short time before the legislative session starts in Tallahassee next month.
Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe, the circuit’s top prosecutor, had also support appointing Lancaster as an interim manager.
Meanwhile, Fischer also appeared before the board on Thursday to ask that he be paid $66,000 in unused vacation time that he said the agency owes him.
But he also told the board that he’s owed another $30,000 — or three months of his former $118,000 salary — which he said is due to him if he is placed on "administrative leave."
That brings the total payout Fischer now wants to about $96,000.
"My life is on hold," Fischer told the board after his attorney stated their case. "This was not by choice. I was forced out. I think I have done an excellent job as executive director."
St. Petersburg building official Rick Dunn, who is interim chair of the board, said the board members need legal advice on how to proceed under county policies.
Board members thought they could get that legal advice from private attorney Andrew Salzman, who was hired by Pinellas County Attorney Jim Bennett to advise the board.
"I cannot give you any legal advice," Salzman said, telling them that they need to ask the county for legal guidance on Fischer’s payout.
Fischer officially retired last week after a series of Tampa Bay Times articles raised questions about the way the agency disciplines contractors, treats consumers and adheres to public records law. Fischer also clashed with his employees and butted heads with county officials while he was in charge of the licensing board.
Latvala had said Lancaster’s background as a government administrator would help fix the board’s issues. She is the former director of the Juvenile Welfare Board and once served as interim county administrator when Fred Marquis stepped down in 2000.
The Florida Legislature passed a special act in 1973 creating the licensing board. It issues licenses to contractors, monitors insurance coverage and fines and disciplines contractors.
However, while similar boards report to local officials, the Pinellas licensing board does not answer to county officials.
This story is developing.
Contact Mark Puente at mpuente@tampabay.com or (727) 892-2996. Follow @MarkPuente
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