Manatee County scraps candidate search, hires new county administrator from inside
Seven months after the sudden departure of Manatee County’s top executive, Charlie Bishop, a longtime government employee, has been named the county administrator.
In August, the Board of County Commissioners chose Bishop to become the interim county administrator following the resignation of previous leaders. During Tuesday’s public meeting, board members gave him the official title.
Bishop, who most recently served as a deputy county administrator and the director of the county’s Property Management Department, has been a county government employee for more than 20 years, according to a press release. Bishop started as a project manager in 2001.
“Thank you, and I’m up for the challenge,” Bishop said following the board’s vote. “Thank you so much.”
The county administrator is responsible for overseeing the county’s entire workforce, handling the annual budget and carrying out the policies set by the Board of County Commissioners.
The decision to hire Bishop as the administrator ends a monthslong nationwide search for a new administrator that began after former County Administrator Scott Hopes resigned in February. The job posting attracted candidates from Montana, Georgia and other Florida municipalities.
In recent weeks, commissioners met with a handful of finalists for the job, but county officials said none of them fit the bill. After learning that Bishop had an interest in the job, most board members said he would be the perfect choice to take the reins.
“I wasn’t blown away by the candidates that were brought to us,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said. “I strongly feel we found the right person for the job and the right person for Manatee County.”
Bishop named Manatee County administrator
Commissioners also praised Bishop’s work during Hurricane Idalia, highlighting his communication skills and his leadership ability with staff.
“Thus far he’s done a really commendable job. His communication with the commissioners, with staff, has been truly excellent,” said Commissioner Amanda Ballard. “He did a great job leading us through the hurricane.”
“Charlie has stepped up in some ways I didn’t know he’d be able to, and it made me pretty proud to lean on him for stuff getting done,” Commissioner Mike Rahn added. “I think Charlie will do a bang-up job for us.”
Commissioner George Kruse said he supported Bishop but cast the only vote against his appointment. He explained that he disagreed with the board’s decision to promote an employee inside the organization.
“I have no fundamental problem with Charlie. I think Charlie’s great,” Kruse said. “I still believe the intent was to hire someone from outside with a fresh view to bring fresh ideas to Manatee County. I believe that’s what we told the staff we were going to do. I believe that’s what we told the citizens we were going to do.”
Speaking with commissioners, Bishop said he was proud to have their support and that he looks forward to implementing some of the “fresh ideas” that commissioners expect to see.
“I’m full of ideas. I have a great team that’s full of ideas,” Bishop said.
An employment contract for Bishop’s role as county administrator still needs to be approved by the board at a later date. County Attorney Bill Clague said he will negotiate a contract for the commission to approve during a public meeting in the coming weeks.
Commissioners also voted Tuesday to appoint Bryan Parnell as a deputy county administrator to work alongside Courtney De Pol, who has served as a deputy county administrator since June 2022.
Parnell is a registered Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager, the county said in a news release. He comes to Manatee County Government from the U.S. Navy, where he served as the Assistant Regional Engineer for Navy Region Southeast, overseeing a $925 million annual budget.
“I am excited and thrilled to serve this community as I’ve served the Navy,” said Parnell.
County officials say Parnell is expected to begin his role Monday, Oct. 16.
This story was originally published September 13, 2023 at 3:13 PM.
