Stewart sheds interim title; should ink new contract in 30 days
As of Monday morning, Terry Stewart is finding more stability in his job. That comfort level came after the Fort Myers Beach Town Council unanimously agreed to begin contract negotiations with the interim town manager eight months after he officially accepted an interim contract for the position.
FMB Councilman Bob Raymond made a motion to offer Stewart the position of town manager subject to an agreeable contract. It was seconded by Councilman Tom Babcock.
“I’m incredibly pleased,” said Stewart. “First of all, thank you for the opportunity to come here and work for you. I’m looking forward to being able to get a successful contract in place and spend some additional years working with all of you.”
All five FMB council members submitted individual performance assessments of Stewart’s work. The average rating was divulged to be 4.1 (out of a possible high rating of 5).
Councilman Alan Mandel volunteered to be the council representative to meet with Stewart regarding conditions of a new contract including a negotiations package within the next 30 days.
“I think you know your work is highly thought of,” said Mayor Larry Kiker of Stewart. “We appreciate it so much.”
The individual evaluations stem from a stipulation in the employee agreement contract which Stewart signed Feb. 1. The terms state there is a probationary period (interim status) followed by a performance evaluation by the council within seven to eight months.
“I’m really appreciative of the fact that this council laid down some specific criteria in which they were going to evaluate me over the interim period,” said Stewart. “My expectation is that we will do similar types of evaluations on an annual basis following the evaluation format the council put together.”
In February, Stewart agreed to a base salary of $100,000 (a $145,654 total annual compensation package with benefits). His performance commitments included developing the 2010-11 town budget; overseeing a complete audit for the town’s financial activities; managing and directing staff as well as implementing appropriate human resource activities; opening Newton Park within budget; providing plans for project management activities such as North Estero Boulevard, Beach Management, Mound House, Estero Boulevard refurbishment, water utility replacement and storm water management; and striving to better communications between the town manager, town council, town attorney, advisory committees, other governmental agencies and community members.