Bill Sanders will not leave today as planned after criticism from the City Council. He will work until June 3.
By ALEX LEARY
Published May 12, 2004
PORT RICHEY - The city's interim building official has agreed to work through the end of the month, easing the rush to rebuild the Building Department.
Bill Sanders, who was the building official before leaving last fall for the city of Tavares, had planned to end his temporary job today after City Council members criticized his past performance.
But interim City Manager Shirley Dresch asked Sanders to stay on a while longer while she seeks a replacement.
"I like Shirley, and I like the people who work there, so if I can help them a little bit, I will," Sanders said. His last day will be June 3.
Sanders was called to work after Bette Farmerie was fired April 22 for not having a state license. He has since reviewed and reissued about 200 permits Farmerie had approved and issues new permits on weekends. Sanders earns $39 an hour.
The Building Department's woes grew May 3 when building inspector Gene Ford was fired for also not having a license. Sanders is making current inspections, but a backlog of work done by Ford also needs to be reviewed.
The city seeks to replace Farmerie and Ford and fill the gap in between. Dresch has a proposal from a Homestead company, M.T. Causley, but it is pricey: $120 per hour for a building official and $90 for an inspector. The price drops with a six-month contract.
Dresch said Tuesday that she will seek other proposals, while the city could also wait until it fills the vacant positions.
In other city news:
The City Council on Tuesday removed Paul Marino as its backup attorney, selecting city of San Antonio attorney Richard E. Davis. Davis would stand in for Gerald Figurski at times Figurski's firm has a conflict with the city.
Prior to becoming city attorney, Figurski & Harrill had two clients, Gateway Honda and a residential developer, that had business with the city.
Davis will earn $150 an hour. Figurski said his firm would not take new clients that could present a conflict.
Also Tuesday, resident Jim Priest asked the council to consider a citizen committee that would provide suggestions on how redevelopment funds should be spent.
The council was receptive to the idea and will discuss it at a later time. The committee would include representatives from different areas of the city.
- Alex Leary covers the city of Port Richey. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6247, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6247. His e-mail address is leary@sptimes.com
