Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito tendered her resignation to the County Commission last week. Her decision comes in light of poor job evaluations from three of the five commissioners, despite support from the other two.
The County Commission on Monday discussed Petito’s decision publicly for the first time. Her resignation is slated to take effect on July 14, 2026 so the Commission has time to approve a fiscal budget for 2027 before starting a hiring process. Petito would depart sooner if the Commission were able to appoint an interim or permanent county administrator between now and then.
At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Greg Hansen motioned to adopt a mutual separation agreement submitted by Petito. Andy Dance seconded, with the stipulation that the county would pursue a permanent new administrator with expedience. An agreement was reached to hold a workshop in the near future to begin the process of finding Petito’s replacement. The motion passed 4-1 with Pam Richardson dissenting.
In January, Commissioner Kim Carney made a motion to terminate Petito. She did not receive a second, even from the other two commissioners who echoed her negative job review. Commissioner Dance called Carney’s motion ‘bad faith’ and said it was not transparent to make such a motion with no notice to the public.
Petito’s resignation is the second major administrative departure the County Commission has received in the last month. On February 4, Deputy County Administrator Percy Sayles resigned just three months after being hired to replace the late Jorge Salinas. With County Attorney Michael Rodriguez being hired in July 2025, the county government is entering a period lacking tenured leaders in its administrative side.
For her severance, Petito will receive 20 weeks’ gross salary along with the pension contributions that the county would’ve made during that period. She will also be compensated for all her accumulated paid leave, and her health insurance will continue through the severance period.
Additionally, Petito will be compensated $17,420 in tuition reimbursement for her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, plus $15,611.84 in retirement contributions. The total value of her severance appears to exceed $100,000.
Heidi Petito was hired as county administrator in October 2021, taking over for the outgoing Jerry Cameron. By the she had four months under her belt as interim county administrator, plus 16 years as Flagler County’s general services director. Though her resignation may seem sudden, it appeared likely that the Commission would not have renewed her contract when it next comes up for discussion.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
