Hillsborough administrator knocking at Pinellas' door

County Administrator Dan Kleman informed his boss that he is looking at the top job across the bay.

By BILL VARIAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 6, 2001

TAMPA -- His job security in doubt, Hillsborough County Administrator Dan Kleman has applied to fill the county administrator opening in Pinellas County.

Hillsborough Commission Chairwoman Pat Frank said Kleman called her at home after Wednesday's commission meeting to tell her he has submitted his name to the Chicago firm helping Pinellas search for a top administrator.

"It's his choice," said Frank, who has been one of Kleman's toughest critics in recent months. "If he's interested in some other place, I think he ought to be given that opportunity."

Kleman declined comment when asked if he had applied for the job, or spoken to commissioners about it.

Earlier Wednesday, Commissioner Tom Scott had asked his fellow board members to schedule a discussion on Kleman's contract. Scott later said he wants to end the uncertainty around Kleman's future, which he thinks is causing instability in county government.

Scott also said he had heard Kleman is considering the Pinellas job.

"The board just needs to vote it up or down and move on," he said. "Personally, I think Dan Kleman has served the county well."

Kleman's long-term contract has been in limbo since last November, when commissioners voted against extending it after giving him a poor evaluations. Several of the commissioners said they were dissatisfied with Kleman's responsiveness to their varied concerns.

A subsequent discussion was postponed in the spring, until Kleman presented commissioners with a two-year spending plan for Hillsborough government. The latest talks will now take place Sept. 19.

The Chicago search firm hired by Pinellas commissioners is scheduled to have a list of finalist to Pinellas commissioners Friday, said commission Chairman Calvin Harris. Harris said he could not confirm whether Kleman had applied, because he hasn't seen the list.

"I know him," Harris said. "He would be an excellent prospect."

After seven years at the helm, Kleman is Hillsborough's longest serving county administrator. He was previously the city manager in Tallahassee for about 20 years.

Kleman has overseen Hillsborough County government at a time of rapid growth, and also has witnessed a longtime Democratic majority on the commission turn to a Republican majority last year. The change, coupled with Kleman's evaluation, has fueled speculation that he might be forced out.

He currently is paid about $155,000 annually. The Pinellas job is being advertised as paying between $130,000 and $140,000, Harris said.

Kleman is applying to replace Fred Marquis, who retired as Pinellas county administrator last year after 22 years.

- Bill Varian can be reached at (813) 226-3387 or at varian@sptimes.com.

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