Ron Koper no longer Manatee County public safety director

MANATEE -- Ron Koper Jr. is no longer employed as Manatee County's public safety director.

Nick Azzara, Manatee County information outreach manager, confirmed Friday that Koper is no longer with the county.

Azzara did not cite a reason and there was no letter of resignation or termination document included in Koper's personnel file Friday morning.

"We have a long-standing position of not discussing personnel matters publicly," Azzara said.

Koper, who did not return calls seeking comment Friday, earned $103,521 annually, according to county records.

Until recently, Koper supervised the problem-plagued Animal Services Division. Responsibilities for that agency were recently transferred to the supervision of county administrator Ed Hunzeker.

Effective Nov. 10, Laurie Feagans will begin serving as the interim director of public safety, according to a memo from Hunzeker to county staff members.

"Laurie brings a wealth of experience to this interim position, including over 28 years of experience in local government," he wrote. "Before her retirement in February 2013, Laurie served for over 15 years as the emergency management chief for Manatee County."

The county will be conducting a search for a permanent director over the next several months, according to Hunzeker.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, who is the commission liaison with the Animal Services Division, said she did not know why Koper had left the county staff.

Whitmore, a Republican, declined further comment.

Terri Wonder, her Democratic challenger in Tues

day's election for the commission District 6 seat, did not return calls Friday.

Debra Starr, public relations and marketing director for the rescue organization Animal Network, said she was encouraged when she heard the news because others had said Koper's replacement was "really good."

"Change is good, and we've certainly made a lot of progress," she said. "Having somebody truly committed to the animals and to the big picture will be very helpful."

Koper began his Manatee County career as a paramedic in November 1993, and rose to head the Public Safety Department.

Among his duties were supervision of the Animal Services Division, which has been under fire from citizens and rescue organizations, and is currently the subject of an operational audit.

In July, county officials signed a $53,000 contract with a California company to do interviews, tour county facilities, send out anonymous questionnaires to employees, profile the organization, and diagnose and evaluate its operations.

It is to submit a report with recommendations at the conclusion of the probe, expected sometime in the next week or two.

Earlier this year, county animal services employees came under fire in connection with an animal abuse case involving a private shelter where they had sent animals for care. Owners of the East Manatee animal rescue, called Napier's Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary, face multiple counts of animal cruelty and fraud.

Other divisions within the public safety department include the 911 emergency communications center, emergency management, emergency medical services and marine rescue.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter @sarawrites.

This story was originally published November 1, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Ron Koper no longer Manatee County public safety director ."