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Citrus Commission Panel Urges Reversal of 2 Reforms of Citrus Code

Lakeland Ledger – September 21, 2011

BARTOW | A Florida Citrus Commission advisory committee on Tuesday recommended reversing two changes to the Florida Citrus Code made earlier this year in a successful reform sponsored by state Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

One change requires that the Florida Senate confirm the executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. The other requires all department employees work a five-day weekly schedule.

The Citrus Commission formed the committee in June to explore changes to Chapter 601 of Florida Statutes, or the Florida Citrus Code, which defines the authority and duties of the Bartow-based Florida Department of Citrus and the commission, its governing body.

The committee decided the Citrus Commission as governing body should have the authority to hire the chief executive without Senate confirmation. Committee members approved the change unanimously.

Commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, said Ed Scales, the Citrus Commission’s attorney and committee adviser.

“I’m not aware of any other state agency (under the same structure) that’s required to confirm its executive director,” Scales said.

Other such agencies include community colleges that can hire presidents without Senate confirmation, he added.

“We shouldn’t have to go to the Legislature for confirmation,” said committee member George Hamner Jr., a Vero Beach grower and packinghouse executive.

Alexander publicly told Florida citrus leaders he sponsored the change because he and many growers were unhappy with the Citrus Department leadership under Ken Keck, who stepped down as executive director on Aug. 3. He remains on the department’s payroll until Oct. 1 as a consultant.

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