In his first full year on the job, County Administrator Mark Woodard is doing very well.
Pinellas County commissioners gave Woodard, who has been working for the county in some facet for close to three decades, an annual performance review score that falls between “meeting” and “exceeding” expectations for the job.
In a numerical rating system in which a total of 400 points were available to Woodard — a scale that is in accordance with the Unified Personnel System for rating employee performance — the county administrator earned 353.3, or 88 percent of all possible points.
He was evaluated in 10 separate categories, half of which were dedicated to the “administrator’s functional competency,” the other half to his “board strategic plan.”
Woodard’s budget and financial management skills — arguably the most important category for a county administrator — garnered a perfect score, with the county administrator being awarded all available points.
“The budget process has been improved, providing more time for board input and discussion of priorities,” wrote Commissioner Ken Welch, who’s been on Pinellas’ Board of County Commissioners (BCC) since 2000. “The budget document, website and strategic alignment are exceptional.”
Woodard also scored very high in the categories of “relations with the BCC,” “professional skills and characteristics,” and “policy execution,” where he scored a 98 percent, and two 95 percents, respectively and in that order.
“[He’s] very prepared for [the] rigors of [the] county administrator position,” wrote Commissioner Dave Eggers of Woodard’s professional skills and characteristics. “[He] handles himself very professionally and yet seems very approachable as he executes his day to day responsibilities.”
The only area where the first-year county administrator didn’t “meet” expectations was in the creation of a “quality workforce in a positive, supportive organization.” The reason most often cited: lack of diversity in the workplace.
“County staff appear to appreciate the lack of ‘drama’ in Mark’s style,” wrote Commissioner Karen Seel on her review. “Hopefully, he will focus on having more diversity in the leadership team as he replaces key department heads and prepares the organization for the future.”
Commissioner Janet Long mentioned a desire to see the county’s internship program grow.
“There are a large number of our senior staff who are on the verge of retiring,” said Long. “I would like to see a more robust internship program to encourage young people to come into county government with an eye towards making public service and county government a career path.”
Woodard began his tenure with Pinellas County as a senior financial management analyst, before going on to serve as the director of the Office of Management and Budget for six years, and then as assistant county administrator/chief of staff for 11 years. He served as the interim county administrator for about four months, before being appointed to the position outright on Aug. 5, 2014.
County commissioners discussed the county administrator’s performance review at their September 24 regular meeting, and their verbal comments were equally as their written ones.
Commissioner Long recommended a raise for Woodard, whose currently being paid $241,072 per year. Commission unanimously approved, giving Woodard a 3 percent raise.
Fun fact: Mr. Woodard is married to Pam Iorio, mayor of Tampa from 2003 to 2011.
