Deputy/Assistant County Administrators

Biography

​Verdenia, a certified government financial manager, was chosen as the next Palm Beach County Administrator in 2015. She oversees 6,800 positions and balances a $6 billion budget. Palm Beach County is Florida’s third largest county with a population of 1.5 million and growing. Notably Palm Beach is one of four Florida counties and one of 50 counties nationally achieving the AAA bond rating, critical for financial stability.  

Verdenia’s career with Palm Beach County began as a budget analyst in 1987. She demonstrates the ability to collaborate with strategic partners to enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses.

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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.

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 responsible for developing the legislative program for the County Commission, and coordinating the County’s lobbying efforts in Tallahassee and Washington DC. Mr. Bonlarron oversees Cooperative Extension Service, Criminal Justice Commission​, Intergovernmental​ Affairs, Libraries, Palm Tran, Public ​​Public Safety and Water Utilities. He also serves as the liaison to the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA), and the Supervisor of Elections.

Reginald K. Duren, Assistant County Administrator, oversees Community Services, Office of Equal Opportunity, Fire Rescue, Human Resources, Medical Examiner’s Office, Purchasing and Risk Management. He also serves as the liaison to the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County. Mr. Duren joined Palm Beach County government in 2019 as the Fire Rescue Administrator, responsible for more than 1,600 employees and a budget in excess of $450 million. Prior to joining Palm Beach County Mr. Duren served as the Fire Chief and Emergency Manager for the City of Riviera Beach. In addition, Mr. Duren served previously as the Deputy Chief of Administration with the City of Miami Fire Rescue Department responsible for Budget, Information and Technology, Personnel, Procurement, and Communications.

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.​
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