Opinion By Linda Dean Cooper

Don’t shoot the messenger. Levy Director Mitch Harrell failed the public. When challenged while presenting his last two agenda items he did nothing to defend his management.  

Some Background – County Coordinator vs County Manager

We have two new commissioners and a new form of managing the BoCC side of Levy government.  Mary Ellen Harper was hired in September 2024 as the first county manager.  Levy was one of the last two counties to use a County Coordinator who was a toothless tiger when managing the county. 

Before the switch to county manager, a commissioner could, and did interfere in the daily operations of the county.  It had to be difficult for employees and the county coordinator to perform under five different commissioners, each giving instructions.

This new and more efficient governing keeps five commissioners from interfering with the day-to-day operations and focuses on policies, such as land use and animal control ordinances.

Breakdown of DPS Write-Offs for FY 23-24

During the December 17, 2024, regular BoCC meeting, Harrell presented his 4^th quarter write-offs and annual report. The write-offs are as follows:

• 1^st Qtr $ 435,334.60
• 2^nd Qtr $ 148,429.00
• 3^rd Qtr $ 410,274.99
• 4^th Qtr $ 316,494.94
• Total for FY23-24 $1,311,033.50
• Quarterly Average FY23/24 $327,758.38

Director Harrell Ignores Public Questions in Two BoCC Meetings

Harrell was aware of the public records request for the 2014 fee schedule but never mentioned in his presentation the 10-year outdated fee schedule or his plans to address it when brought up during the question phase of two consecutive BoCC meetings, December 17, 2024, and January 7, 2025.

On January 7, 2025, during the regular BoCC meeting, Harrell had another opportunity to update the public and commissioners when he presented the Town of Bronson fire station lease.  He did not give an update.  Harrell was also questioned about the 2 brush trucks and 4 ambulances responding to a Morriston brush fire.  He could not, or would not answer anything concerning that brush fire incident Christmas week. 

WhyDid Morriston Fire Engine move to Fowlers Bluff?

The people of Morriston have been asking why their fire truck was removed from their community and why the county moved it to Fowlers Bluff.  There was a matching grant to purchase the fire engine. The Morriston residents matched their half for the grant funding.

The county website has the agenda summary listed but you must request to be on the email list for the supporting documents. The devil is always in the details!

Get involved.  It’s your money.

FY 23-24 PDF of BoCC Agenda For DPS Write-Offs

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Posted January 14, 2025