Deputy/Assistant County Administrators

Verdenia C. Baker
County Administrator

Biography

E-mail Administration | 561-355-6726

As Palm Beach County Administrator, Verdenia Baker is responsible for carrying out the policies of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. A certified financial manager, Verdenia manages the daily operation of county government, which includes more than 5,500 employees and an annual budget of approximately $5.2 billion.   More>>

There are five professionals helping the County Administrator manage the day-to-day operations of Palm Beach County government. Each is in charge of several departments as well as serving as liaison to a number of councils, committees, and boards.

Jon Van Arnam, Deputy County Administrator, assists the County Administrator in managing the daily operations of county government.  Jon joined the County in 1988, progressing from professional positions in the Environmental Resources Management Department and a legislative lobbyist role, to Assistant County Administrator in 2005 and Deputy County Administrator in 2015.  He oversees the Criminal Justice Commission, Information System Services, Public Safety, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Office of Equal Business Opportunity. Mr. Van Arnam conducts special projects for the County Administrator and serves as the county’s liaison to the Courts and the Solid Waste Authority.

Nancy Bolton, Assistant County Administrator, joined the County in 2004 serving as the Director of the Risk Management Department before her appointment to Administration in 2016. Prior to joining the county, she served as risk manager for the city of Pompano Beach and Hall County, Georgia. Ms. Bolton oversees Community Services, Human Resources, Purchasing, Risk Management, the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Todd J. Bonlarron, Assistant County Administrator, joined the county in 1999 as Executive Director of the Legislative Delegation and more recently served as Director of Legislative Affairs. His responsibilities included developing the legislative program for the Board of County Commissioners and coordinating the county’s lobbying efforts in Tallahassee and Washington D.C. Mr. Bonlarron oversees the Cooperative Extension Service, Intergovernmental Affairs & Community Engagement, Legislative Affairs, Libraries, Palm Tran, Public Affairs and Water Utilities. He also serves as liaison to the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA), and the Supervisor of Elections.

Dorritt M. Miller, Assistant County Administrator, joined Palm Beach County government in August 2019 following a long and productive career with the city of West Palm Beach where she served as deputy city administrator, assistant city administrator and deputy internal auditor. Ms. Miller managed a number of key capital projects, most notably the signature $154 million City Center project consisting of a new city hall, library and photographic centre and museum. She also chaired the city’s policy working group. Ms. Miller oversees the county departments of Housing & Economic Sustainability, Parks & Recreation and Youth Services, and serves as liaison to the Housing Finance Authority, Westgate/Belvedere Homes CRA, Business Development Board and CareerSource Palm Beach County.

Patrick Rutter, Assistant County Administrator, joined the county in 2003 serving as the chief planner in the Planning Division.  He was subsequently selected as executive director of the Planning, Zoning and Building Department in 2016. Mr. Rutter was appointed to County Administration in 2018. He oversees Planning, Zoning and Building, Engineering and Public Works, Environmental Resources Management, Water Resources Management, the Office of Resilience and the Office of Community Revitalization. He also serves as liaison to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council.  Prior to joining the county, Mr. Rutter was the director of Growth Management for the city of Weston and a planner for the city of Pembroke Pines.