Chairman Ted Schrader to negotiate contract terms
By B.C. Manion
The Pasco County Commission has opted for Tomas “Tommy” Gonzalez — the city manager of Irving, Texas – to be the county’s new top administrator.
Now, it’s up to Commission Chairman Ted Schrader to negotiate a contract with Gonzalez and bring it back to commissioners for their approval.
In selecting Gonzalez, commissioners passed over Michele Baker, chief assistant county administrator, who often has been credited by retiring County Administrator John Gallagher as playing a pivotal role in helping Pasco move forward.
Commissioner Pat Mulieri spoke highly of Baker’s work ethic and said promoting the chief assistant could provide a smooth transition for the county. “I do think we need a bridge. Gallagher is leaving.”
Other commissioners, however, said the county needed to seize the opportunity to hire Gonzalez.
“He’s looking for something great to do,” said Commissioner Jack Mariano. “He likes what he would be able to accomplish here.”
Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said Baker is intelligent and a good leader, but the commissioner said she couldn’t ignore Gonzalez’s track record. “I’m very impressed by him,” Starkey said. She noted that during the city manager’s tenure the city of Irving won the 2012 Malcolm Baldridge Award, which honors excellence and is not easy to achieve.
Commissioner Henry Wilson agreed with Starkey’s assessment: “Michele is a great asset,” he said. However, he added, “I do believe that Mr. Gonzalez could bring us to the next level.”
Mariano added: “I think he can make it happen. I sense a strong sense of confidence. I think he’s a results-driven person.”
Starkey also noted that she believes that Gonzalez’s strengths will play to the county’s weaknesses. “I’m looking to be a model of efficiency and excellence in government,” she said.
With the recent passage of the Penny for Pasco sales tax referendum, Starkey said, “We’re teeing up for someone like him (Gonzalez).”
Commissioners voted to select Gonzalez as their No. 1 choice to fill the post being vacated on June 1 by Gallagher, who has been at the county’s helm for 31 years.
Gonzalez said he was invited to apply for the position by a headhunter, and after spending time in the county, he sees a great deal of opportunity.
“It’s a very diverse county as far as development goes,” Gonzalez said.
He noted that Pasco has some very nice neighborhoods, and he thinks Pasco has an opportunity to sell the idea of being a very good place to raise families.
Gonzalez said he also thinks that job growth in the county will stimulate more residential development.
In choosing Gonzalez, commissioners authorized Schrader to negotiate a compensation package and bring it back to the board for approval, subject to Gonzalez clearing a background check.
Compensation could prove a sticking point, since Gonzalez’s base salary in his current job is $246,000. He also has a generous package of fringe benefits, which puts total compensation at more than $400,000.
Gonzalez said he expects his compensation will be less than it is in his current position.
“We need to start the discussion on that,” Gonzalez said.
Gallagher’s salary was $180,000, plus a car allowance.
If Gonzalez joins the county, Schrader said the earliest he would assume the post would be Aug. 1 and perhaps, more realistically, Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, the board voted to appoint Baker to serve as interim county administrator at a salary of $150,000 – a bump of $25,000 from her current salary.
