Reid Picked as County's New Administrator

Sarasota County is a contract negotiation away from turning the page on an ugly that clouded the organization since news of it broke in the spring.

On Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved Randall Reid to be the Sarasota County Administrator. Reid will replace .

Lewis filled in after .

Commissioners selected Reid Tuesday after interviewing four finalists Tuesday afternoon. The other finalists were James Baker, Fred Russell and Ed Mitchell.

Baker was selected as the runner up should the county not be able to reach a contract agreement with Reid.

After interviewing the four candidates, the commission took a quick vote for its top two candidates for a more indepth discussion. 

“We had four good candidates and ended up with two outstanding candidates,” said Commissioner Joe Barbetta.

The edge, commissioners said, was given to Reid because of his experience in Florida politics. They said it is important he has experience in dealing with a coastal community as well as working under Florida’s Sunshine Laws.

“Two great candidates, with edge to Randy [Reid], because of his incredible experience in Florida,” Barbetta said.

“It was indeed a difficult choice,” Commissioner Jon Thaxton said. “Wish there was some way to have both. The experience in Florida with regard to Sunshine gave [Reid] an ever so slight edge.”