City manager's job hunt irks some bosses

"You don't dangle another job in front of your employer,'' Commissioner Mary Laurance says, referring to Steven Stanton.

By LISA GREENE

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 7, 2001

LARGO -- In some ways, City Manager Steven Stanton's future looks bright.

He has survived more than seven years as city manager here -- a long time in his profession -- and he's one of four finalists for the top job in Westminster, Colo., a larger city that would increase his yearly pay by more than $40,000.

But Stanton's job hunt has ruffled the feathers of some of his bosses. And most commissioners say if he remains in Largo, he won't get the three-year contract he wants.

"I think it's a question of business ethics," said Commissioner Mary Laurance, who has criticized Stanton before. "You don't dangle another job in front of your employer."

But Mayor Bob Jackson said he doesn't resent Stanton for checking out other options. He pointed out that a recruiting firm for Westminster approached Stanton, rather than Stanton seeking the job.

"He's a very capable manager," Jackson said. "I'm glad he's a finalist," because it shows that Largo has a good manager.

Stanton says he's not worried.

"The job of a city manager is extremely dynamic," he said. "At any point, you have to reach out to various people and repair fences."

Stanton stressed Tuesday that he's happy here. But after saying Monday that he'd like to ask commissioners again about a longer-term contract, he said Tuesday that he won't ask for a three-year commitment. He's not sure whether he'll ask for any longer term.

"I'm somewhat uncomfortable being perceived as trying to negotiate an employment contract in the newspaper," he added.

Stanton's contract now is open-ended and would give him four months' severance pay if he were fired.

That's on the short side of what's typical for Florida city managers, said Ken Small of the Florida League of Cities. Small said an open contract with six months of severance probably is most common, but said there's no real standard for a job where the bosses -- and the job security -- change with each election.

"As the joke goes, you've got a job from one meeting to the next," Small said.

In Seminole, City Manager Frank Edmunds has a three-year contract. In Dunedin, City Manager John Lawrence has an open-ended contract with one month of severance. When former Clearwater City Manager Mike Roberto was forced to resign last year, he left with nine months' severance and other benefits that totaled $166,000.

"The industry norm now is six months to 12 months," Lawrence said.

In Largo, some commissioners said they would be willing to discuss a shorter contract with Stanton, and that they would oppose a three-year contract for any manager.

"I don't want to tie the hands of future commissioners, the future mayor and the taxpayers," said Commissioner Marty Shelby.

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