Pasco Seeking Help to Replace Gallagher

As Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher prepares for life beyond government work, commissioners are searching for a suitable replacement.

And, considering Gallagher spent more than three decades in Pasco County government, they’ve decided they need a little help.

In December, the county solicited proposals from firms that want to help Pasco find a new administrator. Now commissioners want to hear presentations from four of those firms on how they propose to conduct the search.

Commissioners will get their chance next Tuesday, Jan. 29, when the top firms in the proposal process are being asked to give presentations before the board during a workshop. The presentations will start at 1:30 p.m. inside the boardroom at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Gallagher announced his intentions to retire late last year. He plans to leave sometime in late April or early May, shortly after he celebrates 31 years in the post, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Gallagher’s lengthy tenure has earned him the honor of being the longest-serving county administrator in Florida’s history, the Times reported.

Filling Gallagher’s post won’t be easy, commissioners acknowledge and they know that they’ll need community support to make the right choice.

“The majority of the board does want to engage the community in this process,” Commission Chairman Ted Schrader said during Tuesday, Jan. 22's commission meeting.

How community involvement in the process will shake out remains unclear at this point.

Stay with Patch for updates on the search for Gallagher’s replacement as they become available.

OK, Land O’ Lakes, what strengths would your ideal candidate bring to the table? Share your thoughts in the comments section.