Osceola County Manager Don Fisher was recently recognized for 35 years of service to local government by the International City/County Management Association.
Fisher who has served more than a decade as Osceola’s chief executive credits his success to the team of approximately 1,500 County employees, as well as the support of the five county commissioners to whom he reports.
“As a county manager, Don has established a commitment to excellence within our organization that sets the tone for all employees,” said Osceola Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “As commissioners, we expect certain standards in service delivery, accountability, ethics and innovation for more effective and efficient ways to serve residents. Don has delivered with leadership, incredible problem-solving skills and most importantly, compassion.”
Fisher is charged with executing the policy decisions of the County Commission and overseeing the county’s day-to-day operation (including an annual budget of more than $1 billion). He believes in working in an ethical, efficient and transparent manner and that every leader is committed to the good of the community.
A key aspect of this honor is ICMA’s code of ethics. The organization’s members believe good government is built on public trust and that the commission-manager form of government is essential to creating that environment with checks and balances. ICMA promotes ethical government, leadership and innovation through professional qualifications and management principals – all reflected in a code of ethics members follow and that has existed for almost 100 years.
“Everything we accomplish starts with the Board of County Commissioners and their vision. I’ve been blessed to work with commissioners who have had the foresight to look ahead and to be willing to think outside the box to address the issues facing our County,” said Fisher. “Like many high-growth counties, we must improve our infrastructure, diversify our economy and maintain the kind of community that people want to call home. I think we’ve done an outstanding job and our staff has really shone during the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they have always risen to the challenge – whether it was an economic downturn, a hurricane or implementing new services.”
Fisher credits his executive team – especially Deputy County Manager Beth Knight and Assistant County Manager Donna Renberg – for the county’s superior and consistent performance.
Fisher noted that a branding study underway will help guide Osceola’s internal vision and goal-setting, while developing tools to better share that long-term vision and the policies to create it with the public.
As an appointed manager, Fisher is nonpartisan and nonpolitical. Maintaining a professional approach much as the CEO of a private company would is important. Responsibilities include:
- Managing financial and human resources
- Overseeing the delivery of essential community services
- Planning strategically for community development
- Using performance metrics to drive continuous improvement
- Committing to the highest level of ethical standards
- Preparing a comprehensive annual budget and capital improvement program and managing local government staff, budgets, programs, and projects
The International City/County Management Association is the leading organization of local government professionals dedicated to creating and sustaining thriving communities. Fisher who has served in a multitude of roles through his career has been with Osceola County since 2007, serving as county manager since 2010. Fisher also served Seminole County from 1985 to 2007, serving in several roles, including deputy county manager and interim county manager. He has been involved in ICMA since the beginning of his public service in the 1980s. ICMA provides many career resources, including opportunities for job enrichment, study and sharing of best practices.
