The search for a new city manager in Dade City will continue — after city commissioners were unable to come to an agreement with its top candidate for the position.
Contract talks broke down the past several weeks between the commission and Christopher Edwards, a real estate associate in Tallahassee and former deputy director of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economy Vitality.
Edwards declined the city’s base salary final offer of $85,000 on Feb. 8. In his final counter-offer, Edwards had sought a base salary of $94,500.
Both parties remained at odds over other stipulations, including severance pay, terms of resignation and accrued vacation leave, protocols for accrued leave, and pay increases related to the completion of a master’s degree.
With that, the commission voted on Feb. 12 to advertise for the position again.
The application requests Florida local government experience among its requirements, and notes that a master’s degree is preferred.
Applications will be accepted through March 15 at 5 p.m.
Commissioners began the search process for a new city manager in late November, to replace outgoing Dade City Manager Billy Poe, who served in that role for nearly 11 years.
Poe accepted a position with the City of Zephyrhills to become its deputy city manager, at an annual salary of $105,000. He will transition to the city’s top leadership position once Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina retires sometime this summer.
Poe’s contract with Dade City expired on Feb. 7. He exited the city making $99,500 per year.
Dade City finance director Leslie Porter has since been appointed to serve as Dade City manager, until a new hire is made.
The decision to reopen the job search for city manager was preceded by some debate.
Commissioner Jim Shive made a motion to enter negotiations with the commission’s second-ranked candidate, Melanie Romagnoli, a program administrator for the Pasco County Office of Economic Growth.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Shive cited Romagnoli’s experience in local government, planning, construction and economic development, as reasons she is qualified to take over the Dade City manager position.
According to the Pasco County government website, Romagnoli is responsible for the implementation of Pasco’s Economic Development Plan and the administration of the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund (Penny for Pasco).
Additionally, Romagnoli spent more than 20 years working in planning, community development, real estate, and economic development organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, prior to her role with the county.
Shive said the commission would “be foolish” to not consider Romagnoli for a subsequent interview to then enter contract negotiations.
“I would challenge anybody to pick up her resume and say that she’s not qualified to do the work of city manager,” Shive said.
He added, “Let me tell you, this city has been stagnant with growth all around us. We need somebody that can take us to the next level. I believe she is that person. …I think she is well-rounded. I don’t think that we can afford to pass the opportunity up, without taking a look, in fairness.”
Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez concurred proceeding with Romagnoli “would be in the city’s best interest,” provided a contract agreement could be reached.
Said Hernandez, “I think she’s got a wealth of information, wealth of contacts, and I do believe that she can now bring us to the next level, but if she’s not interested, then I would reopen it.”
Other commissioners, however, disagreed.
Commissioner Scott Black acknowledged Romagnoli “does a great job with what she does.” He also said he has “a lot of respect for her.”
However, he said: “I’m looking for somebody that has the breadth of knowledge and the breadth of experience to be able to come in and hit the ground running, and that’s my concern here…”
Black noted that whoever the city hires shouldn’t be on a learning curve in the position. Instead, he suggested they should already have experience with issues such as storm water and wastewater treatment, developing a comprehensive plan and so on.
Said Black, “I feel like, it looks like if we’re going to be paying close to the salary that we were paying our previous city manager, I would want someone that has a firm knowledge of all of the things that come with being a city manager.”
Black also expressed concern the original pool drew only 12 applicants and only two had prior city management experience.
He blamed the time frame for the opening job posting — Dec. 3 through Dec. 21— for the perceived lack of qualified candidates in the first round.
Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon echoed similar concerns.
She noted that neither Edwards nor Romagnoli were ranked among her top three choices for the position after the commission interviewed seven candidates back on Jan. 18.
“I would like more applicants,” Newlon said. “…I mean, I just want someone to wow me, to come in ready to work, have the ability and strengths that we need, and, I just don’t feel that way about the (current) candidates.”
Following the commission’s decision, the mayor described the search for a new city manager “a bit exhausting,” but added, “it is no need for panic mode.”
“I think we are in good hands between the commission and staff here, and I think we will move forward…and do the very best that we can,” Hernandez said.
Published February 20, 2019
