Commissioners renew County Attorney Minter’s employment contract

File photo: County Attorney Matthew Minter listens during a Capital Improvement Project Workshop in the County Commission auditorium at the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, March 21, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners has renewed the employment contract for County Attorney Matthew “Guy” Minter for another five years. At the board’s June 6 meeting, board members had high praise for Minter, citing his legal knowledge, professionalism and expertise in a range of legal topics.

Minter presented the agenda item to Commissioners Kathy Bryant, Carl Zalak and Chair Craig Curry, who approved it in a 3-0 vote. Commissioner Michelle Stone was absent and the District 3 seat is vacant after Jeff Gold resigned on June 6.

The contract stipulated an annual salary of $260,000, a $400 a month car allowance, a cell phone, participation in the Florida Retirement System, full disability and medical insurance coverage and a two-part payout of the 850 hours of annual leave that Minter had accumulated.

Minter praised his legal staff, saying, “We work together as a team to deal with the many legal issues of the county.” Almost every department in the county, he said, interacts with and gets advice from the legal department as regulations, ordinance and statutes at the local, state and federal level can affect county actions.

“I know many people don’t like attorneys,” Minter said with a smile, “but you need attorneys to keep the board making the best decisions possible,” while protecting the county from liability.

Zalak thanked Minter for his 13 years of dedication and service to the county. Zalak also pointed out that having him on staff “saves the county millions” of dollars. Especially with regard to eminent domain issues, Zalak said, Minter has saved the county money and handles those issues without the need for outside consultants or fees. Minter has acted as a resource to every one of our departments, Zalak stated, and is “thankful that you’re willing to give us another five years.”

Curry also praised Minter saying to him, “You’re not an expense to the county, you’re an asset. The money you save us is incredible. If we had to go out and try to replace you—we couldn’t.’’

Minter, he added, “has the respect of the business community, the development community. They know you’re a great negotiator but a fair person.”