Charles Hines Won’t Pursue Manatee County Administrator Position

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Charles Hines, a former Sarasota County commissioner, has withdrawn his name from consideration as the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners select a new county administrator.

Manatee County commissioners are seeking a replacement for Cheri Coryea, who stepped down from the position Tuesday after pressure from the BOCC.

Commissioners appointed Karen Stewart, deputy county administrator, as the interim county administrator.

The BOCC considered appointing Hines as the acting administrator but voted against it 4 to 3 at Tuesday’s meeting, the Observer reported. Some concerns included Hines’ proposal of an eight-month term and his requested salary.

Commissioners planned to evaluate three candidates for the position, reports said. In addition to Hines, they are considering Manatee County School Board member Scott Hopes and Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance president and CEO Dom DiMaio for the role.

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Hines told Patch that he would be interested in taking on the role temporarily but isn’t interested in the position long-term.

“After thinking this over the last couple of days and how the commission has changed its direction and (is) looking for someone to hold that position for a year and even potentially apply for the permanent administrator, I notified the board that is not something I was interested in,” Hines wrote in an email to Patch. “Therefore, I have withdrawn my name from consideration. I enjoyed meeting with the commissioners and discussing issues facing Manatee County and I truly believed I could have helped the commission as acting administrator for a short period of time and with seeking the permanent administrator. However, there appears to be a change in direction and that was the basis of my decision. No hard feelings toward the commission and maybe I can assist them in other ways in the future.”