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'Interim' erased from leader's title
By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer
CRYSTAL RIVER -- Susan Boyer emerged from her sparsely decorated office Tuesday morning with a small deck of business cards. "It's official," she said, sliding her new title into a plastic holder on her assistant's desk. Two months after Boyer was appointed interim city manager, filling the void left by Phil Lilly, the City Council on Monday made her the permanent replacement. In a unanimous decision, the council approved a five-year contract that will pay Boyer a base annual salary of $70,000 plus other benefits. "She came here when we needed someone with a lot of experience, and during this interim time she demonstrated her abilities," council member John Kendall said. "She'll hit the ground running. There is no break-in period." Boyer, 41, becomes the city's ninth manager in the past 12 years and only the second woman in that position since Crystal River was incorporated in 1903. "I'm very happy to be here," Boyer said. "It should be very seamless -- city operations -- since I was already here." She said she understood the risk of taking the job. Boyer said she probably would not have taken the job if she had not served as interim manager, but that experience showed her the city has a lot of potential. More than 70 people applied for the job, but before the process got too far the City Council said it wanted to negotiate with Boyer. The contract approved Monday was developed during the past two weeks. Aside from the $70,000 salary, Boyer will receive a 15 percent pension contribution worth about $10,000. She will receive three weeks of vacation in the first year and an additional week in the subsequent four years. The city will provide her with a vehicle plus disability and life insurance. Her severance package calls for six months' salary and retirement if she's terminated for reasons other than committing a felony or neglecting her duties. In order for the council to fire her, four of the five members would have to vote to do so. During Monday's meeting, the council negotiated some of the items. The draft contract, for instance, had called for nine months' severance during the first two years. Gasoline will be provided while Boyer is in town, but she would pay for fuel elsewhere. "There are always things that each side is not completely thrilled with," Boyer said. "But that's the art of negotiating." Boyer lives in Lady Lake, where she was once town manager. Her contract calls for her to move closer to Crystal River within one year. She has spent most of her career in local government, working in several Florida communities, including Port Orange, Avon Park and Haines City. She holds two degrees from the University of Florida: a bachelor's in political science, with a concentration in public administration; and a master's in political science/public administration. -- Alex Leary can be reached at (352) 564-3623 or leary@sptimes.com .
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