published: Sunday, July 01, 2012

Board to hear Helms out

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- County Administrator Ricky Helms will get his chance Tuesday to present his side of the story before a vote is taken to terminate his contract.

Helms was put on administrative leave with pay on June 19 by a 3-2 vote. He has asked, through County Attorney Ross Macbeth, that 2.5 hours be set aside Tuesday for a hearing on his job performance.

Commissioners Jack Richie, Barbara Stewart and Ron Handley stated June 19 they were displeased with Helms' overall performance, and voted to place him on leave pending a final vote on his contract.

Commissioners Don Elwell and Greg Harris stated that Helms was not perfect but was doing a satisfactory job as head administrator.

It is not clear exactly what Helms will attempt to present to the commission. Public records requests to pre-view his presentation were answered with "no such record as of this date and time" by Gloria Rybinski, the county's public information officer, as late as Thursday afternoon.

Helms has come under fire from commissioners after his one-year mark, and in two evaluations has received unsatisfactory ratings overall.

All commissioners have acknowledged Helms' grasp of county functions and overall job knowledge, and have voiced their respect for his 35 years of service to the county.

But, all five have stressed in their evaluations, and during meetings, that Helms needed work on his communication skills and people management.

"Informing the board when board established time requirements for implementation of polices are not met, and providing an explanation as to why the deadline has not or will not be met," was listed by Stewart as a reason for her dissatisfaction with Helms' communication skills.

The meeting on Tuesday will begin at 9 a.m. at the County Government Center, 600 S. Commerce Ave.