By Michael Eng | Managing Editor
For the last 16 years, Bill McDaniel has served Plant City as its police chief.
With the Plant City Commission’s blessing, he’ll be able to complete his career in public service in an even greater capacity.
City Manager Greg Horwedel revealed Sept. 18 plans to create a new position — assistant city manager of public safety — which McDaniel would assume, effective Jan. 7. 2013.
In his new position, McDaniel would lead the Plant City Police Department, Plant City Fire Rescue, code enforcement and management information systems. The management model is similar to one Horwedel experienced as county administrator in Dinwiddie County, in Virginia.
Interim Fire Chief David Burnett would remain in his role; and Capt. Steven Singletary would serve as interim police chief. Both would be eligible for taking those permanent posts following a three- to four-month evaluation by McDaniel.
Horwedel said he considered changing the management structure following former Fire Chief George Shiley’s retirement announcement earlier this year.
“After he announced his retirement, we wanted to take a look at our structure to see if there was a better way to do things,” Horwedel said. “We’re always looking for ways to reduce cost while maintaining the same level of service.”
Despite the creation of a new management position, the change would save a net $230,000 annually, Horwedel said. Two positions — one fire battalion chief and police Capt. John Borders’ position that will become vacant after his retirement Nov. 30 — will be frozen. Furthermore, former Plant City MIS Manager Rhonda Jensen’s position will be absorbed by Plant City Police Department’s MIS Supervisor Kent Andrel.
“We’re going to combine the resources of both operations to maximize the benefit,” Horwedel said.
The change also would include adding a staff member under Code Enforcement Supervisor Dennis Sweeney.
McDaniel, a 27-year veteran of the police department and a Plant City native, said he is excited about the new opportunity.
“I’m certainly honored and humbled to have been asked to serve (in this role),” he said. “Certainly, there are mixed feelings about moving further away from the people I’ve worked with for so long, but it will give me an additional capacity to be a benefit to this city.”
McDaniel said he anticipates spending about 20% of his time at City Hall and the rest on-site at the police and fire departments. His first priority will be to develop the new leadership at both, and he also will consider taking Plant City Fire Rescue through an accreditation process.
McDaniel’s salary would increase from $95,000 to $107,000 annually.
“This makes sense for Plant City, it makes sense for public safety, and it makes sense for the future of our economic development efforts,” Horwedel said. “This is an exceptional city, and this reorganization makes it even more exceptional.”
City commissioners should consider the reorganization next month.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.