Holt and Green make another unsuccessful bid to oust James

Gadsden County has had an acting administrator since November 2024. Fabrizio Gowdy Gadsden County News Service

Near the end of last week’s county commission meeting, Commissioner Brenda Holt moved to terminate interim County Administrator Reginald James. Holt’s motion to fire James was seconded by Commissioner Ronterious Green — who addressed James as “Mr. Interim” — but was voted down by Chair Eric Hinson and Commissioners Shawn Wood and Alonzetta Simpkins. The vote mirrored the board’s previous 3-2 vote against advertising for a new county administrator at its Feb. 17 meeting, which was also initiated by Holt and supported by Green. Prior to her motion last week, Holt accused James of creating a hostile work environment for county employees and not following proper policies and procedures. She told the Gadsden County Times she plans to continue pushing her colleagues to begin searching for a new, permanent county administrator. “What we should be doing is throwing out a wide net,” Holt said. “I have asked for that and will continue to ask for it.” Holt also criticized the board for not doing enough to spur economic growth or attract manufacturing jobs, which she said are needed more than low-paying service sector positions. “We cannot sell the citizens short. When you look at our agenda, do you see anything about economic development? No. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing,” Holt said. James was unanimously appointed as interim administrator on Aug. 14, 2025, replacing County Building Official Roosevelt Morris, himself an interim county administrator. The county’s last non-interim administrator was Ed Dixon, who was terminated Nov. 19, 2024, and replaced the same day by Morris, both on 3-2 votes opposed by Holt and Green. Before becoming administrator, James served three terms as superintendent of Gadsden County Public Schools, was an associate dean at FAMU and worked for the Florida Department of Education. James said he is pleased with the board’s accomplishments during his time in office. He called the fight over his termination a “distraction” and pointed to various projects around the county nearing groundbreaking. He declined to say whether he would be interested in becoming the permanent administrator if the board offered him the position. According to Florida Statute 125.73, it is not clear whether the board has a time limit to confirm a new administrator or whether there is any meaningful difference between an interim administrator and a permanent administrator. The statute gives county commissions the authority to appoint acting administrators in the case of a vacancy but does not specify any difference in authority or pay afforded to administrators with interim status. Asked when the board might take up the issue of finding a permanent administrator, Hinson said the commission might begin searching in a couple of months but that he does not want to “roll the dice” when several major projects are at a critical juncture. He said switching administrators now could disrupt funding and cause projects such as the Boys & Girls Club to stall. “Right now, I want to make sure we don’t change what we’ve got — we’re bringing things in and getting things done,” Hinson said.

Youth Summer Work Program returns

The board announced its annual Summer Youth Employment Program will run from June 9 through July 20, employing 150 teens and offering $15 hourly pay. The program features both office jobs and positions in the field and is designed to equip young people with hands-on experience and essential career skills. “This is about more than summer jobs — it’s about building our future workforce,” Hinson said. “We are creating opportunities today while strengthening the foundation for tomorrow.” The program typically receives about 300 applicants each year, so participants are selected via a lottery system. Applications open online at www.gadsdencountyfl.gov on April 22 and close May 4. All commissioners were present April 21, though Green appeared via speakerphone. The next BOCC meeting will be held May 5 at 6 p.m.

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