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Commissioners get their own office

An available room and concerns about state law prompt their move out of the mayor's office.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published July 20, 2005

TARPON SPRINGS - City commissioners will now have an office separate from the mayor's at City Hall in an attempt to abide by state law.

Florida's Sunshine Law prohibits commissioners from voting, discussing or sharing information on how they will vote on upcoming commission items outside of public meetings.

The mayor's office on the second-floor of City Hall was regarded as the central location for constituents and others to meet with the city's elected officials.

Traditionally, the mayor's use of the office takes precedence over other commissioners.

In the past year, however, the city's growth and several high-profile projects have made it necessary for Mayor Beverly Billiris to use the office almost daily, she said. That makes it hard for other commissioners to conduct business legally.

"My concern became if I'm in the office and a commissioner wants to use it, he may not enter that room if I'm sitting there returning residents' calls," Billiris said.

The issue isn't new.

As a commissioner several years ago, Billiris said she often had to send a secretary into former Mayor Frank DiDonato's office to pick up mail because he would be on the phone or with a constituent.

"When I first became a commissioner about seven years ago we talked about it," Billiris said of the idea of giving commissioners their own office. "The problem was there was no availability. ... Every space was being used."

The commissioners' new office, which used to be occupied by management analyst Tim Trese, is at the opposite end of the hall from the mayor's office. Trese moved to another room in City Hall months ago, said Judy Staley, city information and research officer.

The new space is about half the size of Billiris' office. The commissioners' mailboxes are set up, along with a computer, printer, fax machine and phone. There is also a sitting area.

Commissioner Peter Nehr said the change will be better for commissioners and constituents.

"Now we have a place to actually sit and discuss things with people and really solve problems," said Nehr, who has had to meet constituents at coffee shops because the mayor's office was in use. "It makes it easier for me to do my job, and it makes everyone look more professional than we ever have before."

The office change comes months after Billiris sent two pointed memos regarding the use of her office.

In February, the mayor accused City Commissioner Peter Dalacos of using her office at night and going through desks and files.

Dalacos denied those allegations. Billiris said the recent decision to separate the offices has nothing to do with the memos.

"I have had a problem with things missing before, but that's a battle I chose not to continue to fight," she said. "It's been frustrating, but it's not the motivation behind getting the commissioners their own office."

But it seems old tensions have resurfaced with the recent change.

Dalacos calls the office move unnecessary and an attempt by the mayor to assert authority over the rest of the board.

"It's just another step in her trying to be queen of Tarpon Springs," Dalacos said.

Nicole Johnson can be reached at 727771-4303 or njohnson@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 20, 2005, 00:58:13]