Appointing Authorities

James L. Bennett
County Attorney

The office of County Attorney is responsible for the representation of County government, the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, Constitutional Officers and all other departments, divisions, regulatory boards and advisory boards of county government in all legal matters relating to their official responsibilities. (website)

Whit Blanton
Executive Director, Forward Pinellas (previously Pinellas Planning Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization)

Responsible for integrating countywide planning for land use and transportation, as well as intergovernmental coordination among Pinellas County’s 24 municipalities and regional transportation agencies in Tampa Bay. The organization provides a forum for local governments to cooperate on issues that affect more than one jurisdiction and to bring consistency to planning and regulatory efforts.

(website)

Ken Burke
Clerk of the Circuit Court

An elected official, the Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the ministerial officer for the Circuit and County Courts and performs the Constitutional and statutory duties for both trial Courts as record keeper of all court records and pleadings filed. The Clerk also serves as the Recorder of Deeds, Clerk and Accountant of the Board of County Commissioners, Custodian of County Funds (County Treasurer), County Auditor (Comptroller) and Clerk of the Water and Navigation Control Authority. (website)

Deborah Clark
Supervisor of Elections

An elected official, this office is responsible for voter registration, voter education, and the security and integrity of the electoral process by conducting elections for Pinellas County and our 24 municipalities efficiently and cost-effectively. This office also qualifies candidates for various local elections and maintains financial reports for local campaigns. (website)

Rodney S. Fischer
Executive Director, Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB)

The PCCLB is responsible for regulating the construction industry throughout Pinellas County. The Board operates as an autonomous policy-making body and provides countywide certification and registration of contractors and countywide certification of journeymen to provide safe, economic, and sound buildings and structures throughout Pinellas County. (website)

Martin Rose
Chief Information Officer, Business Technology Services

An internal department, Business Technology Services provides technology solutions in computer, telephone and other electronic technologies to meet the County’s critical business drivers. (website)

Holly J. Schoenherr
Human Resources Director

Acting for The Unified Personnel System, this department serves all of the Appointing Authorities by creating and maintaining a workforce that is qualified, trained, compensated, fairly treated, well-informed and recognized through cost-effective and efficient policies and procedures which support programs and sound strategies. (website)

Charles W. Thomas
Tax Collector

An elected official responsible for billing, collecting, accounting and distributing all ad valorem taxes for County government, the municipalities, the School Board and all other separate taxing districts, as well as, fire districts. The Tax Collector also acts as an agent for the Florida Department of Revenue, for which the Tax Collector collects delinquent real and personal property taxes; the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issuing state motor vehicle licenses and applications for titles of automobiles, trucks, mobile homes, and boats. He is also an agent of the Fresh Water Fish Commission, selling fishing and hunting licenses for the State. (website)

Mike Twitty
Property Appraiser

An elected official who has the legal responsibility to discover the market value set by individuals in the real estate marketplace and to appraise property accordingly with accurate and uniform property valuations for tax purposes. Additionally, the Appraiser’s Office administers homestead, tangible personal property, religious, charitable, education, veteran, widow, widower, and disability exemptions. (website)

Paul Valenti
Director of Office of Human Rights/EEO Officer

The Office of Human Rights is responsible for protecting the rights of our citizens to securing equal employment opportunities and freedom from discrimination with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, age, or disability, pursuant to state and federal law. (website)