DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Robert Halfhill, the public works director for Charlotte County, is Walton County’s first choice to serve as county administrator.
Halfhill, a retired Marine who worked in Escambia County, has been in his current job since 2009. He was the last of six candidates standing when the County Commission wrapped up a selection process it made up as it went along.
“I didn’t think it went very smoothly,” Commissioner Cindy Meadows said after the decision to hire Halfhill. “The idea of quibbling over how we were going to do it was kind of cumbersome. I kind of think that should have been decided at another meeting.”
Meadows, who had Halfhill first on her list of applicants, said, “I liked everything about him.”
“I really liked Mr. Halfhill’s experience, qualifications and personality,” she said. “We’re getting somebody from outside who is familiar with the area. I look forward to working with him.”
It took three elimination votes and one more for the commission to decide to negotiate a contract with Halfhill.
Ted Lakey, county administrator for Jackson County, was the commission’s second choice. Officials will meet with him if they cannot reach a deal with Halfhill.
Former Walton County Commissioner Larry Jones was the third choice.
Commissioner Bill Chapman, who favored Lakey, said the commission could not have gone wrong with any of the six candidates.
“All six applicants were good,” he said. “All brought something new or different to the table for consideration. All of them could probably step in. I was looking for a background in economic development.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Tom McLaughlin at 850-315-4435 or tmclaughlin@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomMnwfdn.
