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It's Silverboard by a hair for Belleair Beach manager

The council votes for a 55-year-old man who has extensive city government experience and a wife leading Madeira Beach.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published January 16, 2005

BELLEAIR BEACH - The interviews were quick, and the vote was even quicker to pick Reid Silverboard as the city's first-ever city manager.

"I look forward to joining the men and women in public service for the citizens of Belleair Beach," said Silverboard, 55, a Treasure Island resident. His wife, Jill, was appointed city manager of Madeira Beach last June.

Silverboard met informally with council members and nearly 50 residents during a "social" Wednesday night. During his interview before the council Thursday, Silverboard stressed his "professional values, skills and accomplishments."

He said a city manager should have trust, integrity and fiscal accountability and encourage citizen involvement. He described himself as "tactful" in dealing with employees, the council and residents.

Among his accomplishments, he cited running "full-service" cities, developing and implementing comprehensive plans, ensuring "strong code enforcement," computerizing government operations, and supervising both police and fire operations.

"I have planned for, endured and recovered from hurricanes," he said.

Council members questioned Silverboard about his grant writing experience, his philosophy and effectiveness in dealing with a city council, his experience in supervising a police department, and even how he handles the news media.

Silverboard has served in various city and town administrative capacities for 30 years. He was city manager of Carrollton, Ga., and Fort Walton Beach. He was deputy city manager of Hallandale Beach and held planning positions in Hallandale and Naples. He has a master's degree in public administration from Florida International University and a master's in urban and regional planning from the University of Mississippi.

Originally, the City Council planned to privately and publicly interview Silverboard and Douglas Drymon on Thursday and select one of them at a meeting Monday. But when several council members said they could not attend Monday's meeting, they consulted with their attorney and made a decision on the spot.

"This has been an extremely difficult choice. Both are extremely good candidates," said council member Stan Sofer, who described the process as a "photo finish."

Council member Marvin Behm said it was a "hard decision" but opted for Silverboard.

Council member Jeff Coulson said he would be happy with either candidate but voted for Silverboard because of his more extensive experience in city government. "Reid is a little more qualified, but not by much," he said.

Council member Donna Durante, who nominated Silverboard, said if contract negotiations fail, she would welcome Drymon as the city's manager.

"Reid is a better fit for Belleair Beach," said deputy presiding officer Mary Jo Henderson.

Presiding officer Lynn Rives cited Silverboard's experience in beach communities and said his call for resident feedback surveys and experience with comprehensive plans "are near and dear to me."

Burt Cutler was the only council member who favored Drymon.

"Silverboard is highly overqualified. I assume the only reason he is applying is his wife is in close proximity. That could be good and bad for us," he said.

Now it is up to Silverboard to accept, change or reject a proposed contract that would pay him $45,000 to $60,000 to run the city administration. Other contract provisions include:

A contract that has no specific term of service and includes provisions for annual pay raises.

A benefits, retirement and vacation package equal to that offered to nonunion city employees.

A monthly allowance for use of a personal automobile on city business.

Paid professional dues and subscriptions, and travel to official meetings and events.

Sixty days' notice if Silverboard were to resign.

Three months' worth of salary and benefits if he were fired (except "for cause") during the first year. That amount would increase to six months if he were terminated after the first year.

The contract will be negotiated by Mayor Michael Kelly, presiding officer Rives and city attorney Paul Marino. The tentative contract will then be reviewed by the city's Transition Committee, which had recommended Silverboard and others for the city manager post. The City Council will vote on the final contract.

The city hopes Silverboard will be formally hired and on board in February. He will not be able to officially act as city manager, however, until after the March 8 election, when the city's new charter (approved by voters last year) becomes legally operative upon the swearing in of the newly constituted post of mayor and new council members.

[Last modified January 16, 2005, 00:33:22]