North Florida Water Utilities Authority: 9 Months After Dale Williams & NFPS Developed a Job Description, & Months After Its Contract Expried, NFUWA Finally Had Candidates To Choose From
April 19, 2025 10:45 pm | 2 min read
The two minute version of the story.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – On April 17, 2025, the North Florida Water Utilities Authority (NFWUA) made a significant decision by appointing Shannon Roberts, an administrator of Suwannee County, as its new executive director, pending the completion of contract negotiations. This appointment came after a period marked by dissatisfaction within the Authority concerning the selection process. The day’s agenda notably lacked the job description for the position.
The meeting agenda, initially brief, expanded to include candidate details, but omitted the job description.
The meeting was led by Chairman Rocky Ford. The board sought to finalize the leadership of the Authority. Public interest in the proceedings was evident, but the opportunity for public input had an appreciative audience with no takers.
A lack of transparency, including not recording or broadcasting meetings as promised dogged the Authority for months.
North Florida Professional Services (NFPS) was paid $21,000 to facilitate the hiring process but failed to secure a candidate within the 90-day contract period.
The selection process was not without controversies. Neither of the candidates met the minimum qualifications set forth for the position. Despite this, Suwannee County's Shannon Roberts was nominated without any deliberation. He accepted the position conditionally, signaling a willingness to step into the role.
Concerns were raised regarding the proposed compensation package and the implications for the Authority's future budget. These financial considerations are important in light of the Authority's ongoing challenges and the need for effective leadership. However, the dialogue shifted quickly to the motion to hire Mr. Roberts, which passed unanimously in short order, reflecting an unspoken consensus among the board members.
To facilitate the transition into Mr. Roberts' new role, a committee was established to negotiate the terms of his contract. The committee will bring a contract to the next scheduled meeting on May 7, where the contract will be presented for approval.
As the meeting concluded, there was an acknowledgment among board members that the transition might take longer than expected. Mr. Roberts would need to balance his existing obligations in Suwannee County and family obligations before officially assuming his new role at the NFWUA.