Joel EngelhardtEnds 10-year run in Palm Beach County’s top government job.
Longtime Palm Beach County Administrator Verdenia Baker told county commissioners Friday that she is retiring.
Baker, 66, a county employee for 37 years and the top administrator since 2015, will leave her post at the end of May, she told Stet News.
What she’s saying: “I’m going to take some time for me and my family,” she said. “My husband is ready to travel.”
Why it matters: The county administrator oversees a $9 billion budget, including $1.5 billion from countywide property taxes. Her departure would end a remarkable string of 33 years in which the county has had just two people in the top job — Baker and her predecessor, Bob Weisman.
Of note: Baker started as a budget analyst and spent 15 years as Weisman’s deputy. Her salary topped $460,000, The Palm Beach Post reported last year.
Baker said she leaves the seven county commissioners, including two newcomers elected in November, with potential successors among her top staff.
- Deputy Administrator Patrick Rutter, who Baker promoted last year, “would be very good,” she said. Assistant Administrators Todd Bonlarron and Isamí Ayala-Collazo, also promoted last year, are potential choices as well.
Zoom in: Baker cited dozens of accomplishments in an email Saturday to commissioners, including stewardship of grant money during COVID, construction of new county facilities and a second spring training baseball stadium and creation of workforce housing programs.
Yes, but: She also faced criticism last year over her staff’s handling of a minority hiring program and capital spending shortfalls.
- She faced calls to give commissioners more power, prompting a review to be led by Commissioner Maria Marino, who is now mayor.
- A proposal to publicly evaluate Baker remains as well.
What’s next: With commissioners heading to Tallahassee this week for Palm Beach County Day and the start of the legislative session, there’s no commission meeting until March 11.
