Board approves pursuing Jim Dean for county administrator

In a decision drawing both praise and concern, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to offer a key county position to Jim Dean, a seasoned public servant with deep experience in city and county management. The vote, taken in a called meeting Monday afternoon, reflects a growing sense of urgency among commissioners ahead of the upcoming budget season — but also sparked debate about the bypassing of traditional hiring procedures.

Dean, who previously served in leadership roles with the City of Marianna, is widely recognized for his familiarity with local government operations and strong administrative background. Supporters of the move, including Commissioner Paul Donofro, Jr., emphasized Dean’s extensive qualifications and local ties. “We need someone that has got all the qualifications, is local, understands the county, understands all the municipalities,” Donofro said during the meeting. “To me, it’s a little bit of a different situation and he’s interested, and to me that puts us in a unique situation and I’m comfortable moving forward with that.”

However, not all commissioners were in agreement. Commissioner Dr. Willie Spires, who cast the lone dissenting vote, questioned whether Dean was the only qualified candidate. “He’s not the only qualified person,” Spires noted, prompting Donofro to respond, “I think he’s the most qualified person.” When asked how he reached that conclusion, Donofro replied, “I know him.”

Commissioner Donnie Branch echoed concerns about the time constraints facing the board. “Mr. Chairman, I’m a little concerned that if we start the process of advertising, how many people are we going to get to apply?” he asked. “Then you’ve got to determine how many you are going to interview and when they can be interviewed. We are sitting in May and we’ve got budget starting next month or July. We could very well be sitting and looking in August or September. That is what concerns me.”

The compressed timeline was a central factor in the board’s decision. With the budget process looming, several commissioners argued that hiring an experienced candidate like Dean quickly was critical to maintaining fiscal oversight and continuity.

Following the meeting, Chairman Jamey Westbrook spoke in support of the board’s decision, underscoring Dean’s qualifications and his longstanding connection to the community. “Jim’s experience and his roots in this county made him a natural fit,” Westbrook said. “I’ve known him since childhood, and I have great confidence in his abilities.”

Westbrook acknowledged concerns over the expedited hiring process but emphasized that the urgency of the budget season required swift action. “We need someone with experience, someone who can provide day-to-day financial management,” he said. “While the board meets bi-weekly, Jim will be hands-on every day, and that’s crucial to ensuring responsible spending and good governance.”

Dean’s previous tenure with the city of Marianna was cited as a key asset, with over a decade of service demonstrating his capability to manage complex governmental operations. Westbrook compared the transition to Dean’s new role with his own long-standing service, noting that “sometimes a new challenge is exactly what’s needed to reinvigorate leadership.”

In addition to the hiring decision, the board also voted on a separate matter involving the payout of accumulated sick time for Ms. Daniels. Westbrook described the vote as “a more difficult decision,” but said a previous board vote had already established a precedent that current members were obligated to honor. The payout is approximately $26,000.