Town begins own search for interim town manager
The Fort Myers Beach Town Council discussed options on the hiring of its next town manager Monday and agreed by consensus to put off utilizing a search firm in order to examine local candidates for a short term basis.
The candidate may be revealed as early as the Jan. 4 council meeting when a pool of potential suitors are announced. There has been indirect contact with possible candidates to see what interest and capabilities lies within the area.
All five council members weighed in on their recruitment opinions. Due to the upcoming elections for council seats #1 and #2 and the difficult budget process, the council is committing to attempt to hire an interim town manager with expectations that the person will be on staff for six to eight months and, if suitable, be hired full time.
“We have a consensus that we are going to pursue an interim manager immediately,” said FMB Mayor Larry Kiker.
The action is necessary after interim Town Manager Jack Green announced his intention to resign from Town Government, effective Feb. 12, and Article VI of the Town Charter requires the town to have a manager. On Dec. 7, the FMB Town Council directed its outgoing interim town manager and Town Attorney Ann Dalton to assist the council in commencing the process to select a candidate for town manager by bringing proposals from manager search firms for council review as soon as possible.
Three proposals from executive search firms which specialize in government positions were announced: Tallahassee’s Bob Murray Associates; East Florida’s Colin Baenziger & Associates, which the town has used for two past managers (Gary Parker and Scott Janke); and Atlanta’s Slavin Management Consultants. All three firms gave time lines of two to four months, fees ranging from $12,500 to $15,000 plus expenses and guarantees from one to two years.
But, since council has decided to search for an interim within its own capabilities, the firms will be put on hold while other resources such as the Range Rider Program from the Florida League of Cities are being looked into.
Council directed Green and Dalton to coordinate the search for an interim manager and bring those interested and qualified to the Jan. 4 meeting.
“I think our goal would be to bring forward several candidates who are seriously interested in working for the town,” said Dalton.
Councilman Bob Raymond was the first to give his opinion after the proposals from executive search firms were announced.
“I think the way we are set up now, an interim manager for a six to eight month basis would get us through the budget and elections,” he said. “I also think we are better off working in that direction then to bring in someone who really doesn’t know the town. We’ll have plenty of time to go find someone.”
Each of the council members echoed Raymond’s thoughts. Both Green and Dalton were also asked for their opinions.
“Whatever the council seems to want to do I will support that, but I would really prefer that we get an interim person to stay for a good chunk of time,” said Councilwoman Jo List.
“There’s no question that this council can narrow down the choices and possibly get it down to the five best candidates,” said Councilman Tom Babcock. “Let’s start this process as soon as we can.”
“I think there’s value in doing it now, getting it done, getting it behind you and throwing it right onto a brand new council which will undoubtedly have lots of wisdom and professional expertise,” said Vice Mayor Herb Acken.
“I’m really not in favor of naming one of the three firms,” said Kiker. “I would hope that we get an interim manager who may like the town and gets a chance to work with the council. We may not have to go through the process at all. I’m totally in favor of the six to eight months for an interim.”
Green said he would be willing to help the next interim manager get adjusted to his new position. He and Dalton had contacted individuals that council recommended with one undisclosed person expressing interest in the job.
“I do think you can fare well with an interim town manager and get things done and keep things on track,” said Green. “I’m more than willing to give the time to whomever the interim is to get them up to speed and give them whatever recommendations I may have.”
Dalton has been through many searches during her term as town attorney. She has been around since the Marsha Segal-George era.
“I think anyone who takes the job on an interim basis will be trying to decide whether or not to seek the permanent job,” said Dalton. “This is going to be a very, very grim budget year from all prognoses. Better to have somebody that takes you through the process as far down the road as you can get and then see where you go.”