Miklos withdraws from Orange board amid questions over conflicts
John Miklos, chairman of the St. Johns River Water Management District, has withdrawn his name from consideration for a post on the Orange County Development Advisory Board amid concerns of possible conflicts, County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Tuesday.
Chadwick Hardee, who nominated Miklos to a seat for an environmental specialist, found himself in the awkward position of asking Orange County commissioners to reject his nomination, though he believed Miklos was qualified.
“I also think — after some other information that I’ve come across recently — he’s probably a very bad fit for that board,” said Hardee, who serves on a committee that reviews applications and nominates people to serve on the county’s 55 advisory boards.
The Development Advisory Board that Miklos was pegged for reviews proposed Orange County land-development regulations affecting development and redevelopment and recommends needed changes or revisions to county commissioners.
Mikos, 48, appointed by Gov. Rick Scott in 2010 to the watermanagement board and elected its chairman in 2013, is also president of Bio-Tech Consulting Inc., an environmental consulting company whose clients have included homebuilders and commercial developers who need permits from the water district to drain or fill wetlands.
Several conservationistsopposedMiklos’ appointment to the advisory board, some calling it an insult.
After the uproar, Hardee said Miklos sent a text, saying he’d withdrawn, but Hardee showed up to make sure.
“Like someone reminded me ... nothing is nothing until it’s something,” Hardee said.
Hardee did not expound on his change of heart.
The position, which requires specific knowledge, had previously been held by Jim Thomas, founder of the Friends of Lake Apopka who helped create the Oakland Nature Preserve, and Peggy Cox, former president of Orange Audubon.
Jacobs said conflicts are inevitable in roles requiring distinct and defined expertise.
“That position has been a difficult position for us over the years,” she said. shudak@orlandosentinel.com