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county spokeswoman, said in response to a News Leader request for information about the appointments. Olmstead replaces Steve Uebelacker, who was hired on Oct. 3, 2011, by then-Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis. Uebelacker's hiring followed months of turmoil after a scandal erupted in the coun- ty's Procurement Department. Carson pointed out that the county is main- taining the reporting system it implemented for any employee to convey concerns about ethics violations, and it will continue its focus on transparency. Matt Osterhoudt, who has been with Sarasota County Government for almost 15 years, all in the Natural Resources Department, has become acting director of that division. Prior to that, Osterhoudt served as manager of con- servation and environmental permitting. He has been among the staff members working on the revisions of Sarasota 2050. Osterhoudt replaces Amy Meese, who had been a county employee since July 2001. She was named director of the Natural Resources Department in June 2006, Carson told the News Leader. Effective Oct. 1, Harmer added in his March 28 email, "Natural Resources will no longer be a stand-alone department. It will be divided into sections. The regulatory function will report to Planning and Development Services, and the management of Environmentally Sensitive Lands will report to [the] Parks and Recreation [Department]." During this transition period, Harmer added, Osterhoudt will coordinate the changes associated with that realignment. Harmer also noted that Olmstead "will be assisting in the re-evaluation of this position and working closely with the [Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller] on any outstanding issues during the transition." Then-Interim County Administrator Tom Harmer listened on Jan. 28 as Commissioner Joe Barbetta talked about why the board should give Harmer the job of administrator. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 18