Bell Approved as Budget Director

Commission Approves Bell as Budget Director

 At the Thursday, April 12 Santa Rosa County Commission meeting, the board approved County Administrator Hunter Walker’s recommendation to hire Jayne Bell as the office of management & budget director. Bell will replace Joel Haniford, who retires on June 1 after 15 years with the county. Bell assumes her new role on Apr. 30 and will be responsible for the development and monitoring of the annual operating and capital improvements budgets, fiscal policy analysis and special project research. The budget director also serves as the head of the administrative, procurement and computer/ GIS departments. Jayne Bell has worked in the public and private sector and understands the complexities of many business and financial operations. She is currently the Santa Rosa Island Authority Director of Administration and previously held the position of director of finance for the organization. A Certified Public Accountant for 17 years, she is licensed in the state of Florida and holds a B.A. from Huntingdon College and a B.A. from Flagler College .   Her master’s course work was completed at the University of West Florida . Bell has comprehensive experience in cash management, reporting, taxation, financial analysis, public accounting, financial management, budget preparation, administration, general accounting, staff management, GAAP and documentation. She sits on the Finance Committee for Gadsden Street United Methodist Church . She is a member of the Florida Government Financial Officers Association.