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Politics

Dade City scrambles to fill job

City Manager Harold Sample's shoes will have to be filled sooner than expected.

By GINA PACE
Published April 4, 2007

DADE CITY - In the private sector, two weeks' notice before quitting a job would be standard practice.

But, as the adage goes: with government, everything takes longer. City Manager Harold Sample, who announced plans to leave his job in September, now says he won't be around full-time past June.

The problem? Advertising the position - the wording of which had to be agreed upon by commissioners first - just started Friday. Applications are due April 20, and after that, the commissioners must winnow them down, then interview the top candidates and agree on one. If the person the commissioners pick has a contract somewhere else, the city must wait for that person to give notice before he or she can start.

Commissioner Steve Van Gorden said Tuesday that he is worried about the time crunch.

"It's tough to attract people for the salary we are offering and the financial difficulties we are having," Van Gorden said. "It's always going to be tough, but we will all work together to bring a quality person to Dade City."

Sample, 58, told commissioners in early March that he wasn't going to renew his contract in September but would be around to help ease a replacement into the position through the summer budget season.

When Sample, who took the reins in 2003, told the commissioners of his decision to leave, he didn't have a job in mind but was immediately offered one as the vice president of development at the Dade City Business Center. Now, antsy to get to his new position, he wants to whittle his notice to four months, and at the most, work part time after July 1.

"I'm ready to move on," Sample said, adding that he would help as needed with the budget for the coming year.

The advertisement for a new city manager points out challenges the person will face: planned growth has not materialized due to a market slowdown, the city's finances are tight, infrastructure needs improvement and the existing city hall is dilapidated and needs to be moved.

The commission is looking for someone with a bachelor's degree with course work in public administration, but a master's degree is preferred, and at least seven years of experience in city or county management. The salary range is between $75,000 and $95,000.

Brooksville, a similarly sized city that narrowed its 36 applicants to 10 for city manager last week, is offering between $69,000 and $107,000.

Former City Commissioner Bill Dennis, who was part of the group that hired Sample, said he wasn't sure there was a candidate with those requirements that would work within that salary range.

"You ask for as much as you can get," he said. "A master's degree is nice, but it doesn't guarantee a good city manager."

Gina Pace can be reached at 352 521-6518 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6518. Her e-mail address is gpace@sptimes.com

Fast Facts:

What's next

- Harold Sample plans to end his full-time status in June.

- Applications are due April 20.

- Who's qualified? Someone with a bachelor's degree with course work in public administration. A master's degree is preferred along with seven years of experience in city or county management. The salary is between $75,000 and $95,000.

[Last modified April 4, 2007, 07:35:59]