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Letter to the editor

Clearwater's manager draws County Commission attention

Bill Horne says he's not looking for another job, but he is interested.

By MIKE DONILA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

As Pinellas commissioners prepare to name an interim county administrator, one name has already been mentioned as a possible permanent candidate: Clearwater City Manager Bill Horne.

Just days after leaders accepted County Administrator Steve Spratt's resignation, Commissioner Ken Welch approached Horne to gauge his interest.

Both stressed the talks were preliminary, but Horne said he told Clearwater leaders about the conversation in case it became public.

"I'm flattered that there's some interest in me, but this is very preliminary and at this point I'm more interested in what type of person they're looking for," said Horne, 58. "But I'm very pleased with being in Clearwater...so it's not like I'm looking for a job. This is a very early stage."

He said he wouldn't rule out submitting a resume, but wanted to wait until commissioners discuss the position further.

Welch said he's "always admired" Horne and wanted to know whether he would be interested in pursuing the job. He said he has worked with the him on several initiatives, including an ordinance regulating the sale of fireworks in 2003.

"I certainly think he's got the kind of leadership capabilities and experience and certainly the integrity that I'd look for in a county administrator, so I think he'd be a strong candidate," Welch said.

Welch said he has not talked to other commissioners yet about Horne.

"There are a lot of capable folks out there," Welch said.

Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan said it "is a bit premature to begin naming candidates," adding that his focus is on picking an interim administrator. He said he wanted "to throw the net wide and broad to see who might be out there," and expects to look locally and nationally for a permanent replacement, which could take up to a year.

Commissioners plan to discuss the process Tuesday.

Spratt's departure stems from the county's controversial June 5 purchase of land owned by Property Appraiser Jim Smith for nearly four times the value assigned the lot for tax purposes.

The board earlier this month fired County Attorney Susan Churuti for not disclosing the role she played in the transaction to the full board until after the deal closed.

A grand jury report on the deal found no criminal wrongdoing but was critical of the role played by Churuti and Spratt's administration. Spratt, a nearly six-year veteran who quit Sept. 11, will step down at the end of the month.

City managers and county administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of their governments. They report directly to the local elected body.

Horne, a retired Air Force colonel, joined Clearwater in September 1998 and quickly ascended to assistant city manager. He became the interim city manager in July 2000 at a time of city disarray, replacing Mike Roberto.

Roberto made a number of controversial decisions that drew public scorn, such as building a traffic roundabout on Clearwater Beach. Horne was named to the spot permanently the following summer.

He makes $155,000 a year, oversees about 1,800 full-time employees and manages an overall budget of about$390-million.

In comparison, the county administrator makes $223,400, oversees 5,400 full-time employees and manages a $2-billion budget.

Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard said he wasn't surprised by the commissioner's interest in Horne.

"I hope he stays," he said. "I think the city has a lot of stability right now."

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 21:37:17]