Lee County Manager to retire
Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais announced to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners that he will retire effective July 31.
The board on Tuesday voted unanimously to name Deputy County Manager Dave Harner as the interim manager effective Aug. 1.
Desjarlais has served as county manager the past 10 years and started his career with the county in the 1970s.
Desjarlais informed the commissioners of his intent to retire in a letter dated June 1. Desjarlais highlighted the commission’s efforts to reduce taxes four times during his tenure.
Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass (R-District 2) thanked Desjarlais for “building a great team around you.”
Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, R-District 1, said he wanted a national search for a permanent successor to Desjarlais though the majority of the county commissioners said they would prefer to hire within and keep someone local.
“We are a county that promotes within,” Commissioner Mike Greenwell, R-District 5, said. “We are still recovering and we are going to be recovering for years.”
Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Brian Hamman thanked Desjarlais for his efforts, particularly through hurricanes Ian and Irma and through the covid pandemic.
A contract will be negotiated between the commissioners and Harner.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com