Flagler County Clerk of Court Tom Bexley made it official today: Heidi Petito will start Monday as the clerk’s office’s senior adviser, a new position.
Petito’s final day as the Flagler County administrator is today, after five years on the job and 23 years in the organization. Her tenure came down to three county commissioners’ determination that Petito was not meeting their expectations: Pam Richardson, Kim Carney and Leann Pennington, probably in that order of disaffection.
Nor was Petito willing to step into a different role within the organization, though Pennington, aligning with Commissioners Andy Dance and Greg Hansen, were prepared to make that happen, ensuring that Petito would also not be booted out of the Florida Retirement System (she is close to retirement).
Tensions had become so toxic for her that she was willing to take a job paying just about half her current salary of $212,900: she will be earning $110,000 in her new job, a 48 percent pay cut. The clerk’s office, a constitutional office, is part of the FRS system.
“This is a position we’ve been contemplating for a very long time and we found a great person to fill it,” Bexley said in a brief interview. He had spoken at length, when FlaglerLive first disclosed the potential hire in mid-March, about how he’d been having discussions with Petito for months about hiring her. Superintendent LaShakia Moore had also approached Petito about a job with the district, telling her it would be a “safe landing place.”
Bexley announced the hire in a press release issued within moments of the end of the working day today. He said he’d offered Petito the chance to take a vacation between the two jobs. Petito declined. “She’s a go-getter,” he said. She could not be reached before this article initially published. She is not quoted in the release Bexley issued.
“Heidi Petito has been a valuable part of Flagler County for a number of years, in a number of capacities,” he was quoted as saying in the release. “In her most recent role as County Administrator for the last five years, she has done a remarkable job building consensus among the county’s partners and her fiscal stewardship has put the County in a better place.”
The release doesn’t mince word–nor did Bexley on at least two occasions in previous interviews, here and on WNZF–attributing the change of venue to “recent events and as a direct result of the Board of County Commissioners’ actions.” It was a subtle dig at the commission majority that pushed Petito out–the same majority that now has the budget of the Clerk of Court in its hands. Bexley said it is possible that, as part of her responsibilities, Petito could appear before the commission during budget season. If she does, many people working in the Government Services Building will likely take an extended break for the show.
Bexley said Petito’s office will be on the second floor in the courthouse. She will “counsel and advise the executive team, work with all intergovernmentals, work in Tallahassee with us and other clerk’s offices on clerk agendas,” Bexley said. She will also work extensively on outreach to educate people who use the clerk’s services and don’t necessarily know what the office does.
“Ms. Petito will bring proven leadership to our office and will assist us in maintaining accountability for County resources while helping to engage and build relationships throughout the County and beyond,” Bexley was quoted as saying. “Ms. Petito also has deep institutional knowledge and a genuine commitment to public service. Her experience, integrity and steady approach will be a tremendous asset to our office and to the residents we serve. We are fortunate to have her join our team.”
Petito positioned Growth Management Director Adam Mengel as her interim successor as the commission searches for a permanent replacement.
RobdaSlob says
Not judging Petito but why do we suddenly need this position? And why was it not posted to allow others to apply and why didn’t we go through a selection process? It is behavior like this that drives accusations of cronie-ism and not being good stewards of the tax payers dollar.
Sunset on Flagler says
Thats the same hiring policy her HR director family friend used during her tenure as county administrator.
Sparks says
Friends hiring friends or Family that’s how it works in P.C. nepotism. I find it more and more. Also she does favors for friends for Amy at Humane Society to get animal control officer off an animal abuse charge still working there Katie Share. Just upsetting no one is above the law!
Insider says
HR Director is an inexperienced kid! All directors appointed by Petito need to go! He should be following her out the door. Ask him how often he is at work to justify his inflated salary
TR says
I agree, But you have know idea how much BS is going on throughout different departments in the county.
Eyes wide open says
How many applicants for positions within the county were passed over so FRIENDS AND FAMILY could land high-paying jobs—despite lacking the proper qualifications or experience?
The public deserves transparency:
• How many positions were truly open and competitive?
• How many were filled internally or without full posting?
• Were hiring standards applied equally to everyone?
There have already been lawsuits, internal complaints, and documented concerns about workplace culture and hiring practices within Flagler County government. 
Even some hiring decisions—like positions filled without being posted—raise legitimate questions about fairness and transparency. 
This isn’t about accusations—it’s about accountability.
If everything was done by the book, then show the public the data and put the issue to rest.
This is what the commission should investigate so this county can operate as a legitimate government.
Lamo says
Once again, spending our money, without our consent, to create a position, with a high salary, for a friend of the Clerk. This gravy train you city, and county people are on, is coming to a halt, and legitimate programs, that actually help people, are going to be the ones that surfer the most. GREEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDy politicians….
Jane Says says
I work in the courthouse. I can count on both hands how many times Tom Bexley has come to work since he was elected. Time for him to go. He has no respect for our tax dollars. I hope he’s enjoying his golfing. That’s all he does.
just wait for it says
Very disappointed in Tom, last year budget he went to the commissioner because he didn’t have enough money in his budget to bring his staff up to $20 per hour. Now he has $110K plus benefits to create a job for his friend.
When did Petito care about others and their FRS? The county said they didn’t waste $59 million, this is just one example of how Flagler County as a whole waste so much of tax payers money. Superintendent LaShakia is just as bad, she created a job for her friend Johnson and was going to create one for Petito, just like Bexley did.
Bexley might not be up for reelection this year, but there are a few School Board seats open.
I cannot believe there is no one who lives in Mantaza woods area that doesn’t want to go up against Pennington. We can’t let Pennington go unopposed.
Taxpayer says
Clearly Tom Bexley needs to go as well!!!! These people have no respect for the taxpayers dollars… Hydie has cost this county a ton of money, and for him to give her another job with the county is totally disrespectful…. This proves it’s the good old boy system at work again…. He created a job that no one else could apply for, just like hydie did for several of her drinking buddies…. This is sad… She hired her best friend son as the hr director that doesn’t have close to the experience that job calls for and nothing was said… Road and bridge is ran by family and close friends, that clearly violates the handbook with all the nepotism, that the commissioners knows about, especially Andy dance and Pennington.. People we got to vote, that’s the only way we are going to get change!!!!
Pi$$ed Off in Palm Coast says
@Taxpayer says
I agree completely with the importance of voting. What do you suggest we do when we are given a choice between equally undesirable candidates? Mark the ballot “None of the Above?” That would do absolutely nothing. Things are such a clusterfu@k in this county that nobody qualified WANTS to run. We’re looking forward to relocating. My spouse works for the school department teaching part-time and for over five years has made $17 an hour after serving this country for 26 years and earning a Masters degree. And poor Heidi had to take a pay cut. What is wrong with this picture, people?!
celia says
Bexley ignoring the people’s demands failing us. We will not forget when his candidacy will come around, if so! This county is tinted and yes Pennington has an opponent that we and I know well and honest resident that will vote for what we all resident tax payers “need” and not what some county elected and staff for their favored interest, cronyism, nepotism and special interest “want”. That dedicated and courageous resident is Anna Jones district 4 running against Pennington please sign her candidates petitions to be turned in soon to avoid having to pay thousands for qualifying fee. ANNA JONES for Flagler County Commissioner District 4
Wash,rinse,repeat says
How good is this governmental 3 ring circus ? In addition to wasting millions in taxpayer dollars they now add this side show of how friends help friends get rich