Agenda 10/11/2022 Item #16K1 (To complete the performance appraisal of the County Attorney)10/11/2022
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney
OBJECTIVE: To complete the performance appraisal of the County Attorney.
CONSIDERATIONS: The County Attorney reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners. In
order to ensure that the County Attorney Office work performance is coordinated with the direction of the
full Board, an annual appraisal and merit consideration are provided in the County Attorney Employment
Agreement. The Agreement provides in relevant part as follows:
“Section 8: Performance Evaluation
The Employer shall review and evaluate the performance of the Employee in accordance with the
performance-based merit system as provided in Section 7. Written evaluations based on said performance
system will be provided by each County Commissioner to Employee prior to September 1, 2009, and
prior to each September 1st thereafter for the term of this Agreement. A summary of all evaluations will
be prepared by the Board Chair for the Board and Employee including the recommended merit wage
adjustment. A merit system wage adjustment will take effect on October 1, 2009 and each October 1st
thereafter for the term of this Agreement. An updated performance merit system for Employee will be
developed in good faith between the Board of County Commissioners and Employee and adopted by the
Board prior to October 1st of each fiscal year for implementation in the next fiscal year.”
Section 7 provides in relevant part as follows:
“Section 7: Salary
B. Employer and Employee shall negotiate in good faith to establish, within one hundred
and twenty (120) days after execution of this Agreement, a performance based merit system through
which the Employee shall be eligible for a merit adjustment upon the successful completion of
measurable goals and objectives to be completed or attained by the Employee during the 2009 fiscal year
and each fiscal year thereafter during the term of this Agreement. Such annual performance based merit
adjustment shall not exceed a maximum of ten percent (10%) of the Employee’s annual base salary. The
minimum increase for satisfactory performance under such performance based merit system will equal the
average percentage salary adjustment provided to all County employees for the given fiscal yea r or three
percent (3%) whichever is greater. All such merit adjustments shall be included in the Employee’s base
salary.”
The annual work plan (Action plan) was previously developed with the Board. The County Attorney has
been available to meet individually with commissioners and has provided a self-appraisal relating to the
performance standards for review. A copy of the Performance Appraisals conducted by each
Commissioner is included in the back-up.
As in past years, the County Attorney waives any merit adjustment.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this
item.
16.K.1
Packet Pg. 768
10/11/2022
RECOMMENDATION: The Board of County Commissioners completes the annual performance
appraisal process for the County Attorney.
Prepared by: Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (DOCX)
2. LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (PDF)
3. McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (PDF)
4. Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (PDF)
5. Solis JAK Evaluation 2022 (PDF)
6. Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (PDF)
16.K.1
Packet Pg. 769
10/11/2022
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.K.1
Doc ID: 23519
Item Summary: The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney
Meeting Date: 10/11/2022
Prepared by:
Title: Sr. Operations Analyst – County Manager's Office
Name: Geoffrey Willig
10/03/2022 3:33 PM
Submitted by:
Title: County Attorney – County Attorney's Office
Name: Jeffrey A. Klatzkow
10/03/2022 3:33 PM
Approved By:
Review:
County Attorney's Office Geoffrey Willig Level 2 Attorney Review Skipped 10/03/2022 3:28 PM
County Attorney's Office Geoffrey Willig Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Skipped 10/03/2022 3:28 PM
Office of Management and Budget Geoffrey Willig Additional Reviewer Skipped 10/03/2022 3:28 PM
Office of Management and Budget Geoffrey Willig Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 10/03/2022 3:28 PM
County Manager's Office Geoffrey Willig Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 10/04/2022 10:53 AM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 10/11/2022 9:00 AM
16.K.1
Packet Pg. 770
Page 1 of 10
FY 2021 / 2022 Action Plan and Self Analysis
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
The County Attorney is charged with the responsibility of planning, directing and reviewing the
activities and operations of the Office of the County Attorney. The County Attorney is the legal
advisor and counsel for the Board of County Commissioners, its advisory boards and advisory
committees. The County Attorney also provides legal counsel to and assists the County Manager
and his agencies in order to facilitate the goals and objectives established for the County Manager
by the Board of County Commissioners.
The County Attorney, through the assistant county attorneys and supporting staff, represents the
County in wide-ranging complex litigation relating to implementation of government policies and
capital projects, eminent domain, personal injury, property damage, workplace/personnel matters,
finance and land use. In addition to litigation, he is counsel to the County’s divisions and
departments for their daily operations. In this regard, the County Attorney is responsible for the
review of all policy documents (resolutions), legislation (ordinances and special acts), and the
drafting, legal review and revision of all contracts, real property conveyance documents and other
Board signatory documents.
The County Attorney’s Employment Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners
provides for an annual evaluation of the County Attorney's performance. By custom, this
performance has been measured against performance objectives set forth in that year’s annual
Action Plan, by rating each of the performance objectives on a 1 to 3 scale, with 1 being Below
Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds Standards. Individual evaluations are
then totaled and averaged to determine the Board's collective position.
The following is the County Attorney’s Action Plan for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The Action
Plan is based on the broad areas generally expected to be performed by the Managing Partner of a
significant law firm, including: legal advice; leadership and organizational direction;
communications; fiscal management; and personnel management.
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 771 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 2 of 10
Goals for Fiscal Year 2021-2022:
I will continue to initiate changes to create a more efficient work environment. This will include
hiring and retaining the best employees, focusing on how to conduct business with better customer
service results, and making internal changes that result in a more efficient and effective work
product. The County Attorney Office has completed its restructuring to assure that Requests for
Legal Services are completed promptly, and that there will be overlapping areas of expertise within
the Office. To increase our efficiency, this effort will require further improvements in our
planning, assignment of responsibilities, and establishment of accountability to assure continued
enhancement within the Office.
Specific areas that I propose as part of next year’s action plan are:
1. Oral Presentations at Meetings. I will continue to work to assure that both the County
Attorney's and the County Attorney Office's presentations at Board of County Commissioners’
meetings, advisory board meetings, and workshops are clear, concise and effective. All
presenters will be charged with making presentations that avoid legalese and focus on the legal
issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: No change from prior years. As a general rule, this Office continues to endeavor
to follow former County Manager Jim Mudd’s approach of the three B’s with respect to Board
presentations: that “you be brief, be brilliant, and be gone.”
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 772 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 3 of 10
2. Written Legal Advice. Both the County Attorney and the County Attorney Office will provide
professional, objective, unbiased legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners, its
advisory boards and committees, the County Manager and his agencies and employees as
necessary for formulation and implementation of legislative policies and projects. Responses
will avoid legalese and focus on the legal issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: The continuing direction to all attorneys is to keep their writing clear, concise, and
to the point.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
3. Processing Requests for Legal Services. This year, this Office’s response time to Requests for
Legal Services (RLS’s) continued to exceed 90% of all RLS’s being processed within 48 hours.
There will always be a number of legal assignments, due to their complex nature, that take
weeks and even months to complete. Accordingly, this Office will continue to achieve a 48-
hour (or less) turnaround time on 90% of all future Requests for Legal Services received from
the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager agencies. A report will be run from
Total Office (this Office’s data management system) to determine turnaround time. This will
include preparation and review of documents for legal sufficiency prior to consideration by the
Board of County Commissioners for Board action, including, but not limited to, agreements,
contracts, deeds, leases, bonds, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents requested
by County Commissioners, the County Manager, or the staff.
Self Analysis: The response time to Requests for Legal Services (RLS’s) this year was 95% of all
RLS’s being processed within 48 hours. This past year the Office handled 3,105 RLS’s, which
was substantially similar to the prior year (3,153). As always, a number of legal assignments, due
to their complex nature, take weeks and even months to complete. I believe the Office has fully
achieved my goals in this area, the results of which are demonstrated in the next Goal and
Objective, which is Client Satisfaction /Peer Review. Before my tenure as County Attorney, the
average response time for an RLS was 11 days, with 3% of RLS’s processed within 48 hours.
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 773 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 4 of 10
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
4. Client Satisfaction/Peer Review. Client satisfaction continues to be a major goal of this Office.
In furtherance of this goal, a number of years ago I instituted a practice in which performance
evaluation reports are sent to the various Division Administrators and Managers each year to
assess the performance of each attorney in the Office. The reports rate the attorneys on a 1 to
3 scale, with 1 being Below Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds
Standards. Individual evaluations are then totaled and averaged to determine this Office’s
collective score, with a goal of 75% rating level for exceeding expectations. Client reviews
will factor into each of the Assistant County Attorney’s performance evaluations.
Self Analysis: Once again this year, an Attorney-Client Feedback form was provided to
Department Heads and select Managers, to solicit their opinions regarding the service they receive
from the County Attorney Office. These results are utilized to shift workloads if departments are
not satisfied with our services; they are also utilized in the attorney’s individual annual
performance evaluations, and in restructuring decisions.
The following is a chart showing a comparison of 2008 (my first year as County Attorney) and
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 overall client feedback. As you can see, during my tenure
as County Attorney we have eliminated the “Does Not Meet” portion of the evaluation. This year
this Office attained an 94% “Exceeds” expectation, with 6% “Meets” expectations.
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 774 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 5 of 10
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 775 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 6 of 10
5. Fiscal Management. I will continue to develop and effectively administer an annual budget
for the Office of the County Attorney in conformance with policies adopted by the Board of
County Commissioners, while at the same time improving the quality of this Office.
Self Analysis: Prior to my tenure as County Attorney commencing April 2008, this Office was
budgeted for $3,173,600 (when we had 31 full time employees). The current request is for
$3,194,200 (4.9% increase) for this upcoming Fiscal Year (with 15 actual full-time employees,
and 18 budgeted). Based on the Board-directed wage adjustment on October 1, 2021, the personal
services budget increased 6%. The County Attorney Office budget increase would have otherwise
been .8% consistent with budget guidance. The remainder of the County Attorney Office budget
is basically flat. This Office has consistently met or exceeded Board budget direction.
The reduction in personnel was accomplished with an increase in service; over time, the Office
evolved into doing more with less. Overall office efficiency was increased by managing out
inefficient employees, by cross-training, by reassigning work to higher performers, and by
replacing legal secretaries with paralegals who can do higher level work. Going forward, as the
County’s business and population grows, I expect the Office will slowly grow.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
6. Public Records and Sunshine Law. This Office will continue to educate and update County
staff, and advisory board members through periodic workshops/seminars, (e.g. Sunshine Law,
Public Records Act, State and local ethics law). This Office will also conduct seminars with
staff on various topics of interest.
Self Analysis: During the past year, this Office conducted 8 presentations/workshops/seminars to
County staff and advisory board meetings. Because of Covid concerns, we continue to provide
on-line resources as an option, which are more convenient for people to access but lack the
“human” touch.
September 8, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for Procurement Division
December 8, 2021 – Pelican Bay Services Division Board – functions, powers & duties
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 776 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 7 of 10
December 17, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Historical Archeological
Preservation Board (HAPB)
February 9, 2022 – Sunshine, Public Records, Ethics for Procurement Division
February 15, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics at Domestic Animal Services
Advisory Board (DASAB)
March 28, 2022 – Sunshine Law & Public Records for the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (MPO)
April 19, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (MPO)
July 11, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records, Ethics at the Public Art Committee
Our Power Point presentations and Video presentations relating to Government in the
Sunshine, Public Records Act, Ethics Laws and Social Networking are available on the internet at
www.colliercountyfl.gov on the County Attorney web page for viewing by advisory board
members, staff and the public.
A Public Records Manual providing general information, guidelines for handling public
records requests, general and specific exemptions and an update highlighting legislative updates
were provided to various departments including Communication and Customer Relations, Human
Resources, Domestic Animal Services, Security, Risk Management and Emergency Medical
Services.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
7. Litigation. We will continue to effectively and efficiently manage litigation using primarily
in-house counsel and secondarily through the use of outside counsel as needed. We will keep
the Board abreast of the County’s litigation through quarterly reports for the Board with respect
to current litigation, including potential or anticipated legal issues that may come before the
Board of County Commissioners.
Self Analysis: This Office manages the County’s litigation. To keep the Board informed, a number
of years ago I commenced the process of providing the Board with quarterly reports of our
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 777 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 8 of 10
litigation activity. Currently, there are a total of 37 open cases, the bulk of which are comprised of
eminent domain cases (26). There are 11 general litigation cases including three personal injury
cases and two employment cases. In support of the Vanderbilt Beach Road Expansion and
Extension, the County Attorney’s Office filed 43 eminent domain cases to acquire title to 206
parcels. The first case was filed on November 9, 2020 and all parcels were acquired by September
2021. The County has settled 179 parcels for full compensation with 27 parcels pending for
mediation and/or trial. I expect substantial resolution of these last parcels to take 12-18 months
with the primary issue being parties that are not represented by counsel and parties whose
whereabouts are unknown.
Since March of 2013 there has not been a single case where the County has been at risk for a
material judgment. The reasons for this include proactive management of the land use process,
which has virtually eliminated land use disputes, and the insertion of a right to terminate for
convenience provision in the County’s standard form contracts while assigning the Deputy County
Attorney to work daily and directly with the Procurement Department, which has virtually
eliminated contract and vendor payment disputes. This past year the Office closed 23 general
litigation cases, including six eminent domain cases. A copy of the most current Quarterly
Litigation Report (Draft October 2022), with updates from the prior report is attached.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
8. Advertising. We will continue to ensure that all Public Hearings and ordinances are properly
advertised.
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 778 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 9 of 10
Self Analysis: Beginning in 2009, with the assistance of the County Manager’s Office and the
Clerk to the Board, this Office has monitored all legal advertisements for public hearing s before
the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose was to ensure that all legal ads met statutory
and Code requirements and were made part of the record as back-up material for the agenda item.
Since then, our oversight has expanded to include legal ads for the Planning Commission.
In addition to working with departments in drafting legal ads, our Office receives copies of all
ad requests, which are reviewed by the assigned attorney before they are forwarded to the Naples
Daily News. Support staff then verifies that the ads are published correctly. Our goal in taking
on this responsibility is to avoid the delays, waste, and the potential for legal challenge associated
with defective advertising. We also actively seek to reduce costs by combining ads where possible
and by not running ads that are not required.
In the past year, our office has reviewed approximately 80 ads for items appearing on the Board
of County Commissioners’ agenda and 42 ads for items appearing on the CCPC agenda. Ads
continue to be significantly lower than prior years, presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
9. Agenda Items. We will continue to ensure that all Board approved contracts, ordinances, plats
and other documents are properly processed, recorded, and codified with Municode.
Self Analysis: We have been fully successful in monitoring and processing Board approved
documents from approval, Chairman’s signature, delivery to the Clerk to the Board and submission
to Municode for codification as appropriate. On average there are 40+ agenda items per meeting
that require the Chairman’s signature with some items containing multiple documents. All
documents must be compared with the item in the agenda system for accuracy and processed
through to the Clerk to the Board. Most ordinances must be submitted to Municode for
codification.
Commissioner Comments:
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 779 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 10 of 10
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
10. Advisory Boards. A number of yearts ago the Board tasked this Office to manage its Advisory
Boards. We continue to advertise new openings and bring appropriate Executive Summaries
to the Board.
Self Analysis: We have successfully integrated and managed this task with existing staff. We
coordinate with the Communications and Customer Relations Division to make sure that the new
openings are posted, and the current information is posted on the County’s website. We coordinate
with the various advisory board liaisons to get recommendatio ns for appointments, resignations, etc.
We then bring the items to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
Since September 2021, 159 advisory board applications were received and processed, and 60
agenda items were prepared and taken to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. This
amount is also less than prior years, again presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating
16.K.1.a
Packet Pg. 780 Attachment: Jeff Klatzkow Self Evaluation - Action Plan for FY 21-22 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 1 of 9
FY 2021 / 2022 Action Plan and Self Analysis
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
The County Attorney is charged with the responsibility of planning, directing and reviewing the
activities and operations of the Office of the County Attorney. The County Attorney is the legal
advisor and counsel for the Board of County Commissioners, its advisory boards and advisory
committees. The County Attorney also provides legal counsel to and assists the County Manager
and his agencies in order to facilitate the goals and objectives established for the County Manager
by the Board of County Commissioners.
The County Attorney, through the assistant county attorneys and supporting staff, represent s the
County in wide-ranging complex litigation relating to implementation of government policies and
capital projects, eminent domain, personal injury, property damage, workplace/personnel matters,
finance and land use. In addition to litigation, he is counsel to the County’s divisions and
departments for their daily operations. In this regard, the County Attorney is responsible for the
review of all policy documents (resolutions), legislation (ordinances and special acts), and the
drafting, legal review and revision of all contracts, real property conveyance documents and other
Board signatory documents.
The County Attorney’s Employment Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners
provides for an annual evaluation of the County Attorney's performance. By custom, this
performance has been measured against performance objectives set forth in that year’s annual
Action Plan, by rating each of the performance objectives on a 1 to 3 scale, with 1 being Below
Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds Standards. Individual evaluations are
then totaled and averaged to determine the Board's collective position.
The following is the County Attorney’s Action Plan for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The Action
Plan is based on the broad areas generally expected to be performed by the Managing Partner of a
significant law firm, including: legal advice; leadership and organizational direction;
communications; fiscal management; and personnel management.
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 781 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 2 of 9
Goals for Fiscal Year 2021-2022:
I will continue to initiate changes to create a more efficient work environment. This will include
hiring and retaining the best employees, focusing on how to conduct business with better customer
service results, and making internal changes that result in a more efficient and effective work
product. The County Attorney Office has completed its restructuring to assure that Requests for
Legal Services are completed promptly, and that there will be overlapping areas of expertise within
the Office. To increase our efficiency, this effort will require further improvements in our
planning, assignment of responsibilities, and establishment of accountability to assure continued
enhancement within the Office.
Specific areas that I propose as part of next year’s action plan are:
1. Oral Presentations at Meetings. I will continue to work to assure that both the County
Attorney's and the County Attorney Office's presentations at Board of County Commissioners’
meetings, advisory board meetings, and workshops are clear, concise and effective. All
presenters will be charged with making presentations that avoid legalese and focus on the legal
issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: No change from prior years. As a general rule, this Office continues to endeavor
to follow former County Manager Jim Mudd’s approach of the three B’s with respect to Board
presentations: that “you be brief, be brilliant, and be gone.”
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
With a year plus under my belt… I’ve worked closely with our County Attorney and his
office… I continue to find our County Attorney and his staff to be very knowledgeable,
thorough, and communicative in all meetings. I’ve appreciated the quick responses,
sense of urgency and solid counsel!
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
2. Written Legal Advice. Both the County Attorney and the County Attorney Office will provide
professional, objective, unbiased legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners, its
advisory boards and committees, the County Manager and his agencies and employees as
necessary for formulation and implementation of legislative policies and projects. Responses
will avoid legalese and focus on the legal issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: The continuing direction to all attorneys is to keep their writing clear, concise, and
to the point.
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 782 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 3 of 9
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
I’ve ALWAYS received solid advice both verbal & written. During my year plus in the seat
I’ve utilized the County Attorney for quite a few issues… excellent assistance and advice.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
3. Processing Requests for Legal Services. This year, this Office’s response time to Requests for
Legal Services (RLS’s) continued to exceed 90% of all RLS’s being processed within 48 hours.
There will always be a number of legal assignments, due to their complex nature, that take
weeks and even months to complete. Accordingly, this Office will continue to achieve a 48-
hour (or less) turnaround time on 90% of all future Requests for Legal Services received from
the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager agencies. A report will be run from
Total Office (this Office’s data management system) to determine turnaround time. This will
include preparation and review of documents for legal sufficiency prior to consideration by the
Board of County Commissioners for Board action, including, but not limited to, agreements,
contracts, deeds, leases, bonds, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents requested
by County Commissioners, the County Manager, or the staff.
Self Analysis: The response time to Requests for Legal Services (RLS’s) this year was 95% of all
RLS’s being processed within 48 hours. This past year the Office handled 3,105 RLS’s, which
was substantially similar to the prior year (3,153). As always, a number of legal assignments, due
to their complex nature, take weeks and even months to complete. I believe the Office has fully
achieved my goals in this area, the results of which are demonstrated in the next Goal and
Objective, which is Client Satisfaction /Peer Review. Before my tenure as County Attorney, the
average response time for an RLS was 11 days, with 3% of RLS’s processed within 48 hours.
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
Once again -- impressive response time for such a large number of cases… great work!
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
4. Client Satisfaction/Peer Review. Client satisfaction continues to be a major goal of this Office.
In furtherance of this goal, a number of years ago I instituted a practice in which performance
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 783 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 4 of 9
evaluation reports are sent to the various Division Administrators and Managers each year to
assess the performance of each attorney in the Office. The reports rate the attorneys on a 1 to
3 scale, with 1 being Below Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds
Standards. Individual evaluations are then totaled and averaged to determine this Office’s
collective score, with a goal of 75% rating level for exceeding expectations. Client reviews
will factor into each of the Assistant County Attorney’s performance evaluations.
Self Analysis: Once again this year, an Attorney-Client Feedback form was provided to
Department Heads and select Managers, to solicit their opinions regarding the service they receive
from the County Attorney Office. These results are utilized to shift workloads if departments are
not satisfied with our services; they are also utilized in the attorney’s individual annual
performance evaluations, and in restructuring decisions.
The following is a chart showing a comparison of 2008 (my first year as County Attorney) and
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 overall client feedback. As you can see, during my tenure
as County Attorney we have eliminated the “Does Not Meet” portion of the evaluation. This year
this Office attained an 94% “Exceeds” expectation, with 6% “Meets” expectations.
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 784 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 5 of 9
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
The stats say it all… well done… and I agree.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
5. Fiscal Management. I will continue to develop and effectively administer an annual budget
for the Office of the County Attorney in conformance with policies adopted by the Board of
County Commissioners, while at the same time improving the quality of this Office.
Self Analysis: Prior to my tenure as County Attorney commencing April 2008, this Office was
budgeted for $3,173,600 (when we had 31 full time employees). The current request is for
$3,194,200 (4.9% increase) for this upcoming Fiscal Year (with 15 actual full-time employees,
and 18 budgeted). Based on the Board-directed wage adjustment on October 1, 2021, the personal
services budget increased 6%. The County Attorney Office budget increase would have otherwise
been .8% consistent with budget guidance. The remainder of the County Attorney Office budget
is basically flat. This Office has consistently met or exceeded Board budget direction.
The reduction in personnel was accomplished with an increase in service; over time, the Office
evolved into doing more with less. Overall office efficiency was increased by managing out
inefficient employees, by cross-training, by reassigning work to higher performers, and by
replacing legal secretaries with paralegals who can do higher level work. Going forward, as the
County’s business and population grows, I expect the Office will slowly grow.
Commissioner Comments:
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
Thank you for limiting spending and keeping costs/expenses within budget.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
6. Public Records and Sunshine Law. This Office will continue to educate and update County
staff, and advisory board members through periodic workshops/seminars, (e.g. Sunshine Law,
Public Records Act, State and local ethics law). This Office will also conduct seminars with
staff on various topics of interest.
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 785 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 6 of 9
Self Analysis: During the past year, this Office conducted 8 presentations/workshops/seminars to
County staff and advisory board meetings. Because of Covid concerns, we continue to provide
on-line resources as an option, which are more convenient for people to access but lack the
“human” touch.
September 8, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for Procurement Division
December 8, 2021 – Pelican Bay Services Division Board – functions, powers & duties
December 17, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Historical Archeological
Preservation Board (HAPB)
February 9, 2022 – Sunshine, Public Records, Ethics for Procurement Division
February 15, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics at Domestic Animal Services
Advisory Board (DASAB)
March 28, 2022 – Sunshine Law & Public Records for the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (MPO)
April 19, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (MPO)
July 11, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records, Ethics at the Public Art Committee
Our Power Point presentations and Video presentations relating to Government in the
Sunshine, Public Records Act, Ethics Laws and Social Networking are available on the internet at
www.colliercountyfl.gov on the County Attorney web page for viewing by advisory board
members, staff and the public.
A Public Records Manual providing general information, guidelines for handling public
records requests, general and specific exemptions and an update highlighting legislative updates
were provided to various departments including Communication and Customer Relations, Human
Resources, Domestic Animal Services, Security, Risk Management and Emergency Medical
Services.
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
When I took office -- it had been some time since a new Commissioner arrived… County
checklist procedures seemed have been a little dusty. I expect with two new
Commissioners soon to arrive -- all agencies (to include County Attorney) are ready with
“on-boarding” orientation briefings to ensure they are well prepared, briefed, and ready to
go.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
7. Litigation. We will continue to effectively and efficiently manage litigation using primarily
in-house counsel and secondarily through the use of outside counsel as needed. We will keep
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 786 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 7 of 9
the Board abreast of the County’s litigation through quarterly reports for the Board with respect
to current litigation, including potential or anticipated legal issues that may come before the
Board of County Commissioners.
Self Analysis: This Office manages the County’s litigation. To keep the Board informed, a number
of years ago I commenced the process of providing the Board with quarterly reports of our
litigation activity. Currently, there are a total of 37 open cases, the bulk of which are comprised of
eminent domain cases (26). There are 11 general litigation cases including three personal injury
cases and two employment cases. In support of the Vanderbilt Beach Road Expansion and
Extension, the County Attorney’s Office filed 43 eminent domain cases to acquire title to 206
parcels. The first case was filed on November 9, 2020 and all parcels were acquired by September
2021. The County has settled 179 parcels for full compensation with 27 parcels pending for
mediation and/or trial. I expect substantial resolution of these last parcels to take 12-18 months
with the primary issue being parties that are not represented by counsel and parties whose
whereabouts are unknown.
Since March of 2013 there has not been a single case where the County has been at risk for a
material judgment. The reasons for this include proactive management of the land use process,
which has virtually eliminated land use disputes, and the insertion of a right to terminate for
convenience provision in the County’s standard form contracts while assigning the Deputy County
Attorney to work daily and directly with the Procurement Department, which has virtually
eliminated contract and vendor payment disputes. This past year the Office closed 23 general
litigation cases, including six eminent domain cases. A copy of the most current Quarterly
Litigation Report (Draft October 2022), with updates from the prior report is attached.
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
Now with time in the Commissioner seat – I see how often we have pending litigation…
but we have a top-notch office overseeing the cases we should fight… and those we
should settle. I appreciate the recent work and counsel by our County Attorney so I can
present a motion to tighten our fine collecting processes and procedures as our County
used to ensure. Let’s do all we can to continue to limit needless lawsuits…. and also fight
hard in cases where our taxpayers deserve to have us fight on behalf of them and the
County against those who are attempting to take advantage of us.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 787 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 8 of 9
8. Advertising. We will continue to ensure that all Public Hearings and ordinances are properly
advertised.
Self Analysis: Beginning in 2009, with the assistance of the County Manager’s Office and the
Clerk to the Board, this Office has monitored all legal advertisements for public hearings before
the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose was to ensure that all legal ads met statutory
and Code requirements and were made part of the record as back-up material for the agenda item.
Since then, our oversight has expanded to include legal ads for the Planning Commission.
In addition to working with departments in drafting legal ads, our Office receives copies of all
ad requests, which are reviewed by the assigned attorney before they are forwarded to the Naples
Daily News. Support staff then verifies that the ads are published correctly. Our goal in taking
on this responsibility is to avoid the delays, waste, and the potential for legal challenge associated
with defective advertising. We also actively seek to reduce costs by combining ads where possible
and by not running ads that are not required.
In the past year, our office has reviewed approximately 80 ads for items appearing on the Board
of County Commissioners’ agenda and 42 ads for items appearing on the CCPC agenda. Ads
continue to be significantly lower than prior years, presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
As I noted last year -- looks like we are doing a great job in this area. The more we can
get the word out (use social media more?)… the better!
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
9. Agenda Items. We will continue to ensure that all Board approved contracts, ordinances, plats
and other documents are properly processed, recorded, and codified with Municode.
Self Analysis: We have been fully successful in monitoring and processing Board approved
documents from approval, Chairman’s signature, delivery to the Clerk to the Board and submission
to Municode for codification as appropriate. On average there are 40+ agenda items per meeting
that require the Chairman’s signature with some items containing multiple documents. All
documents must be compared with the item in the agenda system for accuracy and processed
through to the Clerk to the Board. Most ordinances mus t be submitted to Municode for
codification.
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 788 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 9 of 9
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
Once again -- no doubt a big job… great to hear all is being processed properly.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
10. Advisory Boards. A number of yearts ago the Board tasked this Office to manage its Advisory
Boards. We continue to advertise new openings and bring appropriate Executive Summaries
to the Board.
Self Analysis: We have successfully integrated and managed this task with existing staff. We
coordinate with the Communications and Customer Relations Division to make sure that the new
openings are posted, and the current information is posted on the County’s website. We coordinate
with the various advisory board liaisons to get recommendations for appointments, resignations, etc.
We then bring the items to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
Since September 2021, 159 advisory board applications were received and processed, and 60
agenda items were prepared and taken to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. This
amount is also less than prior years, again presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner LoCastro Comments:
I’ve had a few this past year… I appreciate your sense of urgency and quick action for
the Advisory Board nominations I’ve made… thank you.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
16.K.1.b
Packet Pg. 789 Attachment: LoCastro JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 1 of 10
FY 2021 / 2022 Action Plan and Self Analysis
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
The County Attorney is charged with the responsibility of planning, directing and reviewing the
activities and operations of the Office of the County Attorney. The County Attorney is the legal
advisor and counsel for the Board of County Commissioners, its advisory boards and advisory
committees. The County Attorney also provides legal counsel to and assists the County Manager
and his agencies in order to facilitate the goals and objectives established for the County Manager
by the Board of County Commissioners.
The County Attorney, through the assistant county attorneys and supporting staff, represents the
County in wide-ranging complex litigation relating to implementation of government policies and
capital projects, eminent domain, personal injury, property damage, workplace/personnel matters,
finance and land use. In addition to litigation, he is counsel to the County’s divisions and
departments for their daily operations. In this regard, the County Attorney is responsible for the
review of all policy documents (resolutions), legislation (ordinances and special acts), and the
drafting, legal review and revision of all contracts, real property conveyance documents and other
Board signatory documents.
The County Attorney’s Employment Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners
provides for an annual evaluation of the County Attorney's performance. By custom, this
performance has been measured against performance objectives set forth in that year’s annual
Action Plan, by rating each of the performance objectives on a 1 to 3 scale, with 1 being Below
Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds Standards. Individual evaluations are
then totaled and averaged to determine the Board's collective position.
The following is the County Attorney’s Action Plan for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The Action
Plan is based on the broad areas generally expected to be performed by the Managing Partner of a
significant law firm, including: legal advice; leadership and organizational direction;
communications; fiscal management; and personnel management.
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 790 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 2 of 10
Goals for Fiscal Year 2021-2022:
I will continue to initiate changes to create a more efficient work environment. This will include
hiring and retaining the best employees, focusing on how to conduct business with better customer
service results, and making internal changes that result in a more efficient and effective work
product. The County Attorney Office has completed its restructuring to assure that Requests for
Legal Services are completed promptly, and that there will be overlapping areas of expertise within
the Office. To increase our efficiency, this effort will require further improvements in our
planning, assignment of responsibilities, and establishment of accountability to assure continued
enhancement within the Office.
Specific areas that I propose as part of next year’s action plan are:
1. Oral Presentations at Meetings. I will continue to work to assure that both the County
Attorney's and the County Attorney Office's presentations at Board of County Commissioners’
meetings, advisory board meetings, and workshops are clear, concise and effective. All
presenters will be charged with making presentations that avoid legalese and focus on the legal
issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: No change from prior years. As a general rule, this Office continues to endeavor
to follow former County Manager Jim Mudd’s approach of the three B’s with respect to Board
presentations: that “you be brief, be brilliant, and be gone.”
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 791 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 3 of 10
2. Written Legal Advice. Both the County Attorney and the County Attorney Office will provide
professional, objective, unbiased legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners, its
advisory boards and committees, the County Manager and his agencies and employees as
necessary for formulation and implementation of legislative policies and projects. Responses
will avoid legalese and focus on the legal issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: The continuing direction to all attorneys is to keep their writing clear, concise, and
to the point.
Commissioner Comments:
Jeff always makes himself available to respond to legal questions.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
3. Processing Requests for Legal Services. This year, this Office’s response time to Requests for
Legal Services (RLS’s) continued to exceed 90% of all RLS’s being processed within 48 hours.
There will always be a number of legal assignments, due to their complex nature, that take
weeks and even months to complete. Accordingly, this Office will continue to achieve a 48-
hour (or less) turnaround time on 90% of all future Requests for Legal Services received from
the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager agencies. A report will be run from
Total Office (this Office’s data management system) to determine turnaround time. This will
include preparation and review of documents for legal sufficiency prior to consideration by the
Board of County Commissioners for Board action, including, but not limited to, agreements,
contracts, deeds, leases, bonds, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents requested
by County Commissioners, the County Manager, or the staff.
Self Analysis: The response time to Requests for Legal Services (RLS’s) this year was 95% of all
RLS’s being processed within 48 hours. This past year the Office handled 3,105 RLS’s, which
was substantially similar to the prior year (3,153). As always, a number of legal assignments, due
to their complex nature, take weeks and even months to complete. I believe the Office has fully
achieved my goals in this area, the results of which are demonstrated in the next Goal and
Objective, which is Client Satisfaction /Peer Review. Before my tenure as County Attorney, the
average response time for an RLS was 11 days, with 3% of RLS’s processed within 48 hours.
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 792 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 4 of 10
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
4. Client Satisfaction/Peer Review. Client satisfaction continues to be a major goal of this Office.
In furtherance of this goal, a number of years ago I instituted a practice in which performance
evaluation reports are sent to the various Division Administrators and Managers each year to
assess the performance of each attorney in the Office. The reports rate the attorneys on a 1 to
3 scale, with 1 being Below Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds
Standards. Individual evaluations are then totaled and averaged to determine this Office’s
collective score, with a goal of 75% rating level for exceeding expectations. Client reviews
will factor into each of the Assistant County Attorney’s performance evaluations.
Self Analysis: Once again this year, an Attorney-Client Feedback form was provided to
Department Heads and select Managers, to solicit their opinions regarding the service they receive
from the County Attorney Office. These results are utilized to shift workloads if departments are
not satisfied with our services; they are also utilized in the attorney’s individual annual
performance evaluations, and in restructuring decisions.
The following is a chart showing a comparison of 2008 (my first year as County Attorney) and
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 overall client feedback. As you can see, during my tenure
as County Attorney we have eliminated the “Does Not Meet” portion of the evaluation. This year
this Office attained an 94% “Exceeds” expectation, with 6% “Meets” expectations.
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 793 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 5 of 10
Commissioner Comments:
I am happy with response times.
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 794 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 6 of 10
5. Fiscal Management. I will continue to develop and effectively administer an annual budget
for the Office of the County Attorney in conformance with policies adopted by the Board of
County Commissioners, while at the same time improving the quality of this Office.
Self Analysis: Prior to my tenure as County Attorney commencing April 2008, this Office was
budgeted for $3,173,600 (when we had 31 full time employees). The current request is for
$3,194,200 (4.9% increase) for this upcoming Fiscal Year (with 15 actual full-time employees,
and 18 budgeted). Based on the Board-directed wage adjustment on October 1, 2021, the personal
services budget increased 6%. The County Attorney Office budget increase would have otherwise
been .8% consistent with budget guidance. The remainder of the County Attorney Office budget
is basically flat. This Office has consistently met or exceeded Board budget direction.
The reduction in personnel was accomplished with an increase in service; over time, the Office
evolved into doing more with less. Overall office efficiency was increased by managing out
inefficient employees, by cross-training, by reassigning work to higher performers, and by
replacing legal secretaries with paralegals who can do higher level work. Going forward, as the
County’s business and population grows, I expect the Office will slowly grow.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
6. Public Records and Sunshine Law. This Office will continue to educate and update County
staff, and advisory board members through periodic workshops/seminars, (e.g. Sunshine Law,
Public Records Act, State and local ethics law). This Office will also conduct seminars with
staff on various topics of interest.
Self Analysis: During the past year, this Office conducted 8 presentations/workshops/seminars to
County staff and advisory board meetings. Because of Covid concerns, we continue to provide
on-line resources as an option, which are more convenient for people to access but lack the
“human” touch.
September 8, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for Procurement Division
December 8, 2021 – Pelican Bay Services Division Board – functions, powers & duties
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 795 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 7 of 10
December 17, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Historical Archeological
Preservation Board (HAPB)
February 9, 2022 – Sunshine, Public Records, Ethics for Procurement Division
February 15, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics at Domestic Animal Services
Advisory Board (DASAB)
March 28, 2022 – Sunshine Law & Public Records for the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (MPO)
April 19, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (MPO)
July 11, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records, Ethics at the Public Art Committee
Our Power Point presentations and Video presentations relating to Government in the
Sunshine, Public Records Act, Ethics Laws and Social Networking are available on the internet at
www.colliercountyfl.gov on the County Attorney web page for viewing by advisory board
members, staff and the public.
A Public Records Manual providing general information, guidelines for handling public
records requests, general and specific exemptions and an update highlighting legislative updates
were provided to various departments including Communication and Customer Relations, Human
Resources, Domestic Animal Services, Security, Risk Management and Emergency Medical
Services.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
7. Litigation. We will continue to effectively and efficiently manage litigation using primarily
in-house counsel and secondarily through the use of outside counsel as needed. We will keep
the Board abreast of the County’s litigation through quarterly reports for the Board with respect
to current litigation, including potential or anticipated legal issues that may come before the
Board of County Commissioners.
Self Analysis: This Office manages the County’s litigation. To keep the Board informed, a number
of years ago I commenced the process of providing the Board with quarterly reports of our
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 796 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 8 of 10
litigation activity. Currently, there are a total of 37 open cases, the bulk of which are comprised of
eminent domain cases (26). There are 11 general litigation cases including three personal injury
cases and two employment cases. In support of the Vanderbilt Beach Road Expansion and
Extension, the County Attorney’s Office filed 43 eminent domain cases to acquire title to 206
parcels. The first case was filed on November 9, 2020 and all parcels were acquired by September
2021. The County has settled 179 parcels for full compensation with 27 parcels pending for
mediation and/or trial. I expect substantial resolution of these last parcels to take 12-18 months
with the primary issue being parties that are not represented by counsel and parties whose
whereabouts are unknown.
Since March of 2013 there has not been a single case where the County has been at risk for a
material judgment. The reasons for this include proactive management of the land use process,
which has virtually eliminated land use disputes, and the insertion of a right to terminate for
convenience provision in the County’s standard form contracts while assigning the Deputy County
Attorney to work daily and directly with the Procurement Department, which has virtually
eliminated contract and vendor payment disputes. This past year the Office closed 23 general
litigation cases, including six eminent domain cases. A copy of the most current Quarterly
Litigation Report (Draft October 2022), with updates from the prior report is attached.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 797 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 9 of 10
8. Advertising. We will continue to ensure that all Public Hearings and ordinances are properly
advertised.
Self Analysis: Beginning in 2009, with the assistance of the County Manager’s Office and the
Clerk to the Board, this Office has monitored all legal advertisements for public hearings before
the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose was to ensure that all legal ads met statutory
and Code requirements and were made part of the record as back-up material for the agenda item.
Since then, our oversight has expanded to include legal ads for the Planning Commission.
In addition to working with departments in drafting legal ads, our Office receives copies of all
ad requests, which are reviewed by the assigned attorney before they are forwarded to the Naples
Daily News. Support staff then verifies that the ads are published correctly. Our goal in taking
on this responsibility is to avoid the delays, waste, and the potential for legal challenge associated
with defective advertising. We also actively seek to reduce costs by combining ads where possible
and by not running ads that are not required.
In the past year, our office has reviewed approximately 80 ads for items appearing on the Board
of County Commissioners’ agenda and 42 ads for items appearing on the CCPC agenda. Ads
continue to be significantly lower than prior years, presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
9. Agenda Items. We will continue to ensure that all Board approved contracts, ordinances, plats
and other documents are properly processed, recorded, and codified with Municode.
Self Analysis: We have been fully successful in monitoring and processing Board approved
documents from approval, Chairman’s signature, delivery to the Clerk to the Board and submission
to Municode for codification as appropriate. On average there are 40+ agenda items per meeting
that require the Chairman’s signature with some items containing multiple documents. All
documents must be compared with the item in the agenda system for accuracy and processed
through to the Clerk to the Board. Most ordinances must be submitted to Municode for
codification.
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 798 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 10 of 10
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
10. Advisory Boards. A number of yearts ago the Board tasked this Office to manage its Advisory
Boards. We continue to advertise new openings and bring appropriate Executive Summaries
to the Board.
Self Analysis: We have successfully integrated and managed this task with existing staff. We
coordinate with the Communications and Customer Relations Division to make sure that the new
openings are posted, and the current information is posted on the County’s website. We coordinate
with the various advisory board liaisons to get recommendations for appointments, resignations, etc.
We then bring the items to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
Since September 2021, 159 advisory board applications were received and processed, and 60
agenda items were prepared and taken to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. This
amount is also less than prior years, again presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating X
16.K.1.c
Packet Pg. 799 Attachment: McDaniel JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 800Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 801Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 802Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 803Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 804Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 805Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 806Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 807Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 808Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.dPacket Pg. 809Attachment: Saunders JAK evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 1 of 10
FY 2021 / 2022 Action Plan and Self Analysis
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney
The County Attorney is charged with the responsibility of planning, directing and reviewing the
activities and operations of the Office of the County Attorney. The County Attorney is the legal
advisor and counsel for the Board of County Commissioners, its advisory boards and advisory
committees. The County Attorney also provides legal counsel to and assists the County Manager
and his agencies in order to facilitate the goals and objectives established for the County Manager
by the Board of County Commissioners.
The County Attorney, through the assistant county attorneys and supporting staff, represents the
County in wide-ranging complex litigation relating to implementation of government policies and
capital projects, eminent domain, personal injury, property damage, workplace/personnel matters,
finance and land use. In addition to litigation, he is counsel to the County’s divisions and
departments for their daily operations. In this regard, the County Attorney is responsible for the
review of all policy documents (resolutions), legislation (ordinances and special acts), and the
drafting, legal review and revision of all contracts, real property conveyance documents and other
Board signatory documents.
The County Attorney’s Employment Agreement with the Board of County Commissioners
provides for an annual evaluation of the County Attorney's performance. By custom, this
performance has been measured against performance objectives set forth in that year’s annual
Action Plan, by rating each of the performance objectives on a 1 to 3 scale, with 1 being Below
Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds Standards. Individual evaluations are
then totaled and averaged to determine the Board's collective position.
The following is the County Attorney’s Action Plan for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The Action
Plan is based on the broad areas generally expected to be performed by the Managing Partner of a
significant law firm, including: legal advice; leadership and organizational direction;
communications; fiscal management; and personnel management.
16.K.1.e
Packet Pg. 810 Attachment: Solis JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 2 of 10
Goals for Fiscal Year 2021-2022:
I will continue to initiate changes to create a more efficient work environment. This will include
hiring and retaining the best employees, focusing on how to conduct business with better customer
service results, and making internal changes that result in a more efficient and effective work
product. The County Attorney Office has completed its restructuring to assure that Requests for
Legal Services are completed promptly, and that there will be overlapping areas of expertise within
the Office. To increase our efficiency, this effort will require further improvements in our
planning, assignment of responsibilities, and establishment of accountability to assure continued
enhancement within the Office.
Specific areas that I propose as part of next year’s action plan are:
1. Oral Presentations at Meetings. I will continue to work to assure that both the County
Attorney's and the County Attorney Office's presentations at Board of County Commissioners’
meetings, advisory board meetings, and workshops are clear, concise and effective. All
presenters will be charged with making presentations that avoid legalese and focus on the legal
issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: No change from prior years. As a general rule, this Office continues to endeavor
to follow former County Manager Jim Mudd’s approach of the three B’s with respect to Board
presentations: that “you be brief, be brilliant, and be gone.”
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
16.K.1.e
Packet Pg. 811 Attachment: Solis JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
Page 3 of 10
2. Written Legal Advice. Both the County Attorney and the County Attorney Office will provide
professional, objective, unbiased legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners, its
advisory boards and committees, the County Manager and his agencies and employees as
necessary for formulation and implementation of legislative policies and projects. Responses
will avoid legalese and focus on the legal issue in a simple, understandable and brief manner.
Self Analysis: The continuing direction to all attorneys is to keep their writing clear, concise, and
to the point.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
3. Processing Requests for Legal Services. This year, this Office’s response time to Requests for
Legal Services (RLS’s) continued to exceed 90% of all RLS’s being processed within 48 hours.
There will always be a number of legal assignments, due to their complex nature, that take
weeks and even months to complete. Accordingly, this Office will continue to achieve a 48-
hour (or less) turnaround time on 90% of all future Requests for Legal Services received from
the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager agencies. A report will be run from
Total Office (this Office’s data management system) to determine turnaround time. This will
include preparation and review of documents for legal sufficiency prior to consideration by the
Board of County Commissioners for Board action, including, but not limited to, agreements,
contracts, deeds, leases, bonds, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents requested
by County Commissioners, the County Manager, or the staff.
Self Analysis: The response time to Requests for Legal Services (RLS’s) this year was 95% of all
RLS’s being processed within 48 hours. This past year the Office handled 3,105 RLS’s, which
was substantially similar to the prior year (3,153). As always, a number of legal assignments, due
to their complex nature, take weeks and even months to complete. I believe the Office has fully
achieved my goals in this area, the results of which are demonstrated in the next Goal and
Objective, which is Client Satisfaction /Peer Review. Before my tenure as County Attorney, the
average response time for an RLS was 11 days, with 3% of RLS’s processed within 48 hours.
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Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
4. Client Satisfaction/Peer Review. Client satisfaction continues to be a major goal of this Office.
In furtherance of this goal, a number of years ago I instituted a practice in which performance
evaluation reports are sent to the various Division Administrators and Managers each year to
assess the performance of each attorney in the Office. The reports rate the attorneys on a 1 to
3 scale, with 1 being Below Standards; 2 being Meets Standards; and 3 being Exceeds
Standards. Individual evaluations are then totaled and averaged to determine this Office’s
collective score, with a goal of 75% rating level for exceeding expectations. Client reviews
will factor into each of the Assistant County Attorney’s performance evaluations.
Self Analysis: Once again this year, an Attorney-Client Feedback form was provided to
Department Heads and select Managers, to solicit their opinions regarding the service they receive
from the County Attorney Office. These results are utilized to shift workloads if departments are
not satisfied with our services; they are also utilized in the attorney’s individual annual
performance evaluations, and in restructuring decisions.
The following is a chart showing a comparison of 2008 (my first year as County Attorney) and
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 overall client feedback. As you can see, during my tenure
as County Attorney we have eliminated the “Does Not Meet” portion of the evaluation. This year
this Office attained an 94% “Exceeds” expectation, with 6% “Meets” expectations.
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Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
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5. Fiscal Management. I will continue to develop and effectively administer an annual budget
for the Office of the County Attorney in conformance with policies adopted by the Board of
County Commissioners, while at the same time improving the quality of this Office.
Self Analysis: Prior to my tenure as County Attorney commencing April 2008, this Office was
budgeted for $3,173,600 (when we had 31 full time employees). The current request is for
$3,194,200 (4.9% increase) for this upcoming Fiscal Year (with 15 actual full-time employees,
and 18 budgeted). Based on the Board-directed wage adjustment on October 1, 2021, the personal
services budget increased 6%. The County Attorney Office budget increase would have otherwise
been .8% consistent with budget guidance. The remainder of the County Attorney Office budget
is basically flat. This Office has consistently met or exceeded Board budget direction.
The reduction in personnel was accomplished with an increase in service; over time, the Office
evolved into doing more with less. Overall office efficiency was increased by managing out
inefficient employees, by cross-training, by reassigning work to higher performers, and by
replacing legal secretaries with paralegals who can do higher level work. Going forward, as the
County’s business and population grows, I expect the Office will slowly grow.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
6. Public Records and Sunshine Law. This Office will continue to educate and update County
staff, and advisory board members through periodic workshops/seminars, (e.g. Sunshine Law,
Public Records Act, State and local ethics law). This Office will also conduct seminars with
staff on various topics of interest.
Self Analysis: During the past year, this Office conducted 8 presentations/workshops/seminars to
County staff and advisory board meetings. Because of Covid concerns, we continue to provide
on-line resources as an option, which are more convenient for people to access but lack the
“human” touch.
September 8, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for Procurement Division
December 8, 2021 – Pelican Bay Services Division Board – functions, powers & duties
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December 17, 2021 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Historical Archeological
Preservation Board (HAPB)
February 9, 2022 – Sunshine, Public Records, Ethics for Procurement Division
February 15, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics at Domestic Animal Services
Advisory Board (DASAB)
March 28, 2022 – Sunshine Law & Public Records for the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (MPO)
April 19, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records and Ethics for the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (MPO)
July 11, 2022 – Sunshine Law, Public Records, Ethics at the Public Art Committee
Our Power Point presentations and Video presentations relating to Government in the
Sunshine, Public Records Act, Ethics Laws and Social Networking are available on the internet at
www.colliercountyfl.gov on the County Attorney web page for viewing by advisory board
members, staff and the public.
A Public Records Manual providing general information, guidelines for handling public
records requests, general and specific exemptions and an update highlighting legislative updates
were provided to various departments including Communication and Customer Relations, Human
Resources, Domestic Animal Services, Security, Risk Management and Emergency Medical
Services.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
7. Litigation. We will continue to effectively and efficiently manage litigation using primarily
in-house counsel and secondarily through the use of outside counsel as needed. We will keep
the Board abreast of the County’s litigation through quarterly reports for the Board with respect
to current litigation, including potential or anticipated legal issues that may come before the
Board of County Commissioners.
Self Analysis: This Office manages the County’s litigation. To keep the Board informed, a number
of years ago I commenced the process of providing the Board with quarterly reports of our
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litigation activity. Currently, there are a total of 37 open cases, the bulk of which are comprised of
eminent domain cases (26). There are 11 general litigation cases including three personal injury
cases and two employment cases. In support of the Vanderbilt Beach Road Expansion and
Extension, the County Attorney’s Office filed 43 eminent domain cases to acquire title to 206
parcels. The first case was filed on November 9, 2020 and all parcels were acquired by September
2021. The County has settled 179 parcels for full compensation with 27 parcels pending for
mediation and/or trial. I expect substantial resolution of these last parcels to take 12-18 months
with the primary issue being parties that are not represented by counsel and parties whose
whereabouts are unknown.
Since March of 2013 there has not been a single case where the County has been at risk for a
material judgment. The reasons for this include proactive management of the land use process,
which has virtually eliminated land use disputes, and the insertion of a right to terminate for
convenience provision in the County’s standard form contracts while assigning the Deputy County
Attorney to work daily and directly with the Procurement Department, which has virtually
eliminated contract and vendor payment disputes. This past year the Office closed 23 general
litigation cases, including six eminent domain cases. A copy of the most current Quarterly
Litigation Report (Draft October 2022), with updates from the prior report is attached.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
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Packet Pg. 817 Attachment: Solis JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
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8. Advertising. We will continue to ensure that all Public Hearings and ordinances are properly
advertised.
Self Analysis: Beginning in 2009, with the assistance of the County Manager’s Office and the
Clerk to the Board, this Office has monitored all legal advertisements for public hearings before
the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose was to ensure that all legal ads met statutory
and Code requirements and were made part of the record as back-up material for the agenda item.
Since then, our oversight has expanded to include legal ads for the Planning Commission.
In addition to working with departments in drafting legal ads, our Office receives copies of all
ad requests, which are reviewed by the assigned attorney before they are forwarded to the Naples
Daily News. Support staff then verifies that the ads are published correctly. Our goal in taking
on this responsibility is to avoid the delays, waste, and the potential for legal challenge associated
with defective advertising. We also actively seek to reduce costs by combining ads where possible
and by not running ads that are not required.
In the past year, our office has reviewed approximately 80 ads for items appearing on the Board
of County Commissioners’ agenda and 42 ads for items appearing on the CCPC agenda. Ads
continue to be significantly lower than prior years, presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
9. Agenda Items. We will continue to ensure that all Board approved contracts, ordinances, plats
and other documents are properly processed, recorded, and codified with Municode.
Self Analysis: We have been fully successful in monitoring and processing Board approved
documents from approval, Chairman’s signature, delivery to the Clerk to the Board and submission
to Municode for codification as appropriate. On average there are 40+ agenda items per meeting
that require the Chairman’s signature with some items containing multiple documents. All
documents must be compared with the item in the agenda system for accuracy and processed
through to the Clerk to the Board. Most ordinances must be submitted to Municode for
codification.
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Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
10. Advisory Boards. A number of yearts ago the Board tasked this Office to manage its Advisory
Boards. We continue to advertise new openings and bring appropriate Executive Summaries
to the Board.
Self Analysis: We have successfully integrated and managed this task with existing staff. We
coordinate with the Communications and Customer Relations Division to make sure that the new
openings are posted, and the current information is posted on the County’s website. We coordinate
with the various advisory board liaisons to get recommendations for appointments, resignations, etc.
We then bring the items to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
Since September 2021, 159 advisory board applications were received and processed, and 60
agenda items were prepared and taken to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. This
amount is also less than prior years, again presumably due to the pandemic.
Commissioner Comments:
Below
Standards
Meets
Standards
Exceeds
Standards
1 2 3
Rating x
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16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 820Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 821Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 822Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 823Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 824Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 825Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 826Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 827Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)
16.K.1.fPacket Pg. 828Attachment: Taylor JAK Evaluation 2022 (23519 : The Annual Performance Appraisal for the County Attorney)