Tag Archives: county commission

Marlon Bolton Forced To Resign County Job After State Law Not Followed In Hiring Process

Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton was forced to resign his brand new position as a County Commission aide after officials determined State Law was violated, the Sun-Sentinel reports. In late January, REDBROWARD broke the news that Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers was hiring Bolton, a longtime ally. Ten days later, Rogers hired Bolton as her Chief of Communications with an $80,000 salary.

On Thursday, the Sun-Sentinel reported Bolton resigned his position after County officials learned the position had not been advertised to the public.

“Florida law addressing ‘dual public employment,’ allows elected officials to have government jobs at the same time — but there are rules attached. The state law requires that an elected official has been subject to the same application and hiring process as other candidates, and that ‘the position was publicly advertised.’”

“County Attorney Andrew Meyers said, ‘Commissioner Rogers properly vetted this issue in advance, including directly with me. I advised that there is no legal prohibition on a municipal elected official being hired as a County employee. While that answer is accurate, it did not completely address the issue,’ he said. Inadvertently, ‘the process overlooked a requirement that the position be publicly posted before a hiring decision is made. Steps are being taken to promptly address the situation, and the position will be filled consistent with the required process.’”

Team Purple Bird?

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Palm Beach Republican Party Chairman Michael Barnett To County Commission

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Palm Beach Republican Executive Committee Chairman Michael Barnett to the Palm Beach County Commission. Barnett fills an opening after Dave Kerner was nominated as executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles. Barnett is no stranger to Broward Republicans. He regularly attends Broward Events

From Governor Ron DeSantis office:

Governor DeSantis also announced his appointment of Michael Barnett to fill the vacancy on the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners created by Kerner’s appointment.

Barnett is an attorney for Shiner Law Group. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. He has also served as Committeeman, Secretary, and Vice Chair of the Republican Executive Committee of Palm Beach County. Barnett earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and his juris doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.

Michael Barnett with Senator Marco Rubio