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A witness to city's growth

Andy Houston didn't plan to keep his job for long. Now he retires after three decades with the city of St. Petersburg.

By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published September 18, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - It was 1974 and Andy Houston needed a job.

The roofing company he worked for went out of business, so he took a position as an administrative assistant for the St. Petersburg Police Department.

"Working for the city was the last thing I thought I would do," said Houston, 54. "I thought it would be a temporary thing."

Last week, 31 years later, Houston retired from the city of St. Petersburg. His last day was Thursday.

Houston climbed a long way in the past 30 years. He was the city's administrator of internal services when he retired. His main task was overseeing the city budget, which will swell to more than $540-million in 2006.

Houston kept a ceramic bulldog in his office to remind visitors of his tenacity.

"Someone else will have to be the budget bulldog from now on," he said, chuckling.

Mike Conners, formerly the city's main engineer, has been named to replace Houston.

It was a desire for small-town living that prompted Houston's retirement. He and his wife, Susan, are moving to Dublin, Ga. to enjoy life at a slower pace. Houston said he'll probably look for a new job in a few months but will work on his golf game in the interim.

Houston is a graduate of Florida State University, where he studied business administration.

He has been the administrator of internal services for the past five years and worked closely with Mayor Rick Baker. Houston said the most gratifying aspect of his job was watching St. Petersburg grow into a lively, thriving city.

"You really have to look at how far the city has come," Houston said. "Just to watch the changes and know the role the city has played in the transformation is pretty amazing."

Carrie Johnson can be reached at 727 892-2273 or cjohnson@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 18, 2005, 02:15:36]