Monroe County Moves To Restructure Land Authority and Discusses New Executive Director Position

Monroe County Land Authority Executive Director Charles Pattison congratulated Monroe County Assistant Administrator Christine Hurley for the discussion leading up to her tentative appointment as executive director of the MCLA when he retires in October. 

Monroe County Moves To Restructure Land Authority and Discusses New Executive Director Position

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Land Authority (MCLA) is a separately managed public body governed by the same members of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).  The MCLA acquires land for conservation purposes to protect the natural environment, provide public access to recreational facilities, affordable housing, and satisfy private property rights claims resulting from the County’s limitations being a State designated Area of Critical State Concern (ACSC).

At Wednesday’s meeting, the BOCC approved restructuring the MCLA to expand the program and move five County-managed land acquisition programs and staff to the MCLA. The MCLA and several BOCC programs traditionally have overlapping functions and have partnered on new programs developed to address future potential takings liability.

The density reduction programs to be moved include the Less Than Fee Program, habitat restoration, re-sale of vacant density reduction lots without development rights, and the CDBG-DR Voluntary Home Buyout and HMGP-Buyout programs.

The MCLA Executive Director Charles Pattison also announced his retirement in April to be effective October 1, 2021. The MCLA recognized the contributions Pattison made during his tenure. The MCLA and BOCC board included direction to move forward with appointing Monroe County Assistant Administrator Christine Hurley to the position.

“Christine has prepared her staff for this day, and they are fully prepared for this gradual transition,” said Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi, who answered questions regarding Hurley’s departure from the BOCC-side. “We are lucky that we will continue to have Christine in our corner for these programs, and we are looking forward to working with her in her new position.”

Hurley’s MLCA contract will come forward at the June BOCC meeting for consideration. Gastesi will be looking into the County’s BOCC staff structure regarding replacing or reorganizing the organizational chart with her departure.

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