Highlands IDA/EDC Changes Auditors

The board of directors of the Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/Economic Development Commission voted to change auditors and received an update on the search for a replacement for Executive Director Louise England during Wednesday's meeting.

The board agreed to accept the proposal of the Sebring CPA firm of Wicks, Brown Williams and Co.

The firm's fee for performing the audit for the IDA, which provides for industrial revenue bond financing, for fiscal year 2008 will be $6,600. It will increase to $6,800 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2009 and $7,000 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010.

During the August meeting, England told the board that new audit standards resulted in The NCT Group increasing its fee by $1,100 from the previous year. The board directed England to send out a request for a proposal to NCT and other firms to conduct the 2007/08 audit.

Wade Taveniere, the chairman of the search committee, said time frame is on track to find a replacement for England, who announced last month she will be resigning from her position at the end of this year.

Interviews are expected to take place in early to mid-October. The board hopes to make a decision by Nov. 1.

As of Wednesday, at least 25 applications had been received. Taveniere noted there is a "fairly decent pool" of applicants.

Taveniere said Joe DeCerbo, the district manager of Spring Lake Improvement, has agreed to help interview candidates. DeCerbo is experienced in a technique called "targeted selection." He has helped other organizations in choosing top managers.

The date for the EDC's annual banquet, which will be held at the Quality Inn Conference Center has in Sebring been changed to Tuesday, Oct 21 due to a conflict.

The cost is $35 per person.

Invitations will be mailed the last week of this month.

It was mentioned during the meeting that the restaurant at Sebring Regional Airport is now being operated by John Rydecki, who has a concessions operation at Sebring International Raceway and is the track's official caterer.

JR's Runway Cafe has been repainted and new flooring has been installed.

Its hours are 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

The restaurant will be open for dinner beginning Sept. 24.