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Letter to the editor

For McCollum, it's now official: city manager

The former city clerk retires her "interim" title after she and the council formally sign a contract.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA, Times Correspondent
Published October 28, 2007

BELLEAIR BEACH- Nancy McCollum became the full-fledged city manager this week, nearly five months after taking the job on an interim basis.

McCollum, who had been the city clerk since 2000, was named interim city manager in June following the resignation of Reid Silverboard, who is now city manager for Treasure Island.

The Belleair Beach City Council had begun a search for a new city manager but quickly decided it wanted McCollum to assume that position on a permanent basis.

At first, she declined the offer, citing her desire to complete her qualification as a certified master city clerk.

City officials then discussed allowing McCollum to keep both jobs - city clerk and city manager - but their own charter and state law barred that solution.

After months of contract negotiations, McCollum and the city finally reached an agreement several weeks ago that would allow McCollum to return to her former city clerk position, if it were available, at any time.

On Monday, the council and McCollum formally signed the contract, officially making her the city's second city manager.

Her salary was set at $65,000. As city clerk she earned $53,000. The higher salary is retroactive to Sept. 1 and increased, as of Oct. 1, by the 4.7 percent pay hike given all city employees.

In addition, the city is paying 100 percent of her health, dental, disability and life insurance premiums. The city is also contributing at least 10 percent of her salary to a retirement program and is providing her with a $200 monthly car allowance.

McCollum's three-year contract will automatically extend each subsequent year unless she resigns or is terminated.

She is entitled to a year's severance pay, including benefits, if she is fired for any reason except "for cause."

The City Council also appointed McCollum's assistant, Patricia Gentry, as the city clerk at a $35,000 salary, an amount also retroactive to Sept. 1.

Her salary is subject to the same salary increase, as well as an annual $1,500 bonus for attending classes and successfully completing certification as a municipal clerk.

[Last modified October 27, 2007, 23:02:28]