Plant City Manager Greg Horwedel had no plans to vacate the city’s top post.
In fact, there was only one organization that could entice his services away from the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
It just so happened that that organization — Hillsborough County — came calling. And with one son contemplating college and another three children nearing college age, Horwedel said the offer to become Hillsborough County’s deputy county administrator — the No. 2 position under County Administrator Mike Merrill — was one he could not refuse.
“I will miss the people (the most),” Horwedel said of leaving his post in Plant City. “You couldn’t ask for better people. I wouldn’t have even considered (a move) for anyone other than the county. I think that staff and commission is as good as our staff and commission.
“I don’t often say things fall into place, but in this case, I think that’s what has happened,” he said. “Mike (Merrill) and I have a good relationship. He’s a dynamic manager and has done an outstanding job at the county.”
Horwedel’s hiring is pending Hillsborough County Commission approval, which is scheduled to take place at the commission’s March 19 meeting. It is part of a large-scale reorganization of the county’s leadership to give Merrill more time to focus on major policy issues, such as economic development and transportation. Horwedel will handle most of the day-to-day operations, leading four assistant county administrators in the areas of code enforcement; public safety; parks and recreation; public works; economic development; and more. There will be about 1,500 employees under his supervision.
“It’s not a whole lot different (than what I do now),” Horwedel said of the new position. “You apply the same principles; it’s just a bigger stage.
“It’s a nice fit,” he said. “Mike and I believe a lot of the same things. Our philosophies are closely aligned — customer service and fiscal responsibility. Good government shows the public we give great value for the dollar. If you’re going to forcibly extract money from people, you have to provide a good product at a great value.”
Merrill agrees with Horwedel’s business-like, customer-first approach to local government.
“I’ve gotten to know him well over the years, working on different issues with him,” Merrill said of Horwedel. “I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with his style. He’s a problem-solver; he’s got good judgement.”
Horwedel, 52, will earn $180,000 per year.
Horwedel first came to Plant City in 2006, serving as assistant city manager under former City Manager David Sollenberger. He took the helm when Sollenberger retired in 2010.
Before taking the helm in Plant City, he served as the city’s assistant city manager. Other previous positions include county administrator for Dinwiddie County, Va.; township administrator for Deerfield, Ohio; director of development services for the City of Sarasota; director of planning and economic development for the City of Riverside, Ohio; and development director, affordable housing fund, for Montgomery County, Ohio.
Under Horwedel’s leadership, Plant City began work on a several large projects that ultimately will direct the city’s future. The Northeast Plant City Area Master Plan outlines anticipated growth in the next 20 years in the city’s 22-square-mile northeastern quadrant and how to accommodate the potential impacts on Interstate 4. In 2013, Calgary-based Walton International Group purchased the 1,008-acre Cone-Graham property, located generally at the southwest corner of Knights Griffin and Charlie Taylor roads, for $18.1 million. The firm plans to build an upscale, master-planned community with up to 2,500 homes.
Horwedel also led the city’s work on the Midtown Redevelopment Vision Plan, which included purchasing and assembling a variety of individual land parcels, the realignment of Wheeler Street and securing federal grant money to clean contaminated sites on the property. The Plant City Commission approved in February the design concept for the Village Green park, which will become the centerpiece of the redevelopment project. Ultimately, Midtown will become a live, work, play community just south of Historic Downtown Plant City.
“The hallmark of good government is to look ahead, plan and execute,” Horwedel said.
Horwedel also led the city through the Great Recession, which resulted in a 23% decline in general fund revenues, largely because of falling property values. Despite that decline, the city’s millage rate has remained the lowest in the county. He attributes all of the city’s successes to his staff.
“The city’s government isn’t just me,” Horwedel said. “I don’t turn the water on and off. My job at the top is to set the tone.”
As the city moves forward, Horwedel said it is important that his successor continues to oversee the Midtown project. He also advocates for more parks throughout the city and especially for pay increases for the city staff.
“We need to find raises for the employees,” he said. “We need to take a look again and see if we can find a permanent wage increase. Our employees work too hard (not to have one).”
Longtime Plant City Commissioner Mike Sparkman said he will miss Horwedel.
“I’m very disappointed that he’s going to the county; but, the promotion puts him in good standing,” he said. “It just sounds like a terrific opportunity for him.
“He is really aggressive, on top of things,” Sparkman said. “He’s a super-smart individual. You can’t blame him, and there’s not much more to say than, ‘Thank you.’”
This will be Sparkman’s third time of serving on the commission during a search for a new manager. The first time, he was involved in a national search, which resulted in Phil Waldron serving as city manager. When Waldron retired in 2002, citing health reasons, the commission led a search that yielded Sollenberger, former city manager of Sarasota.
Sparkman said the City Commission will begin a search process following the County Commission’s approval of Horwedel’s hire.
“Once they (county commissioners) give their blessing and approval, he needs to go on to work with the county, and we’ve got to start our process as soon as possible,” he said.
In the interim, Assistant City Manager Bill McDaniel will handle the day-to-day duties, Sparkman said.
Despite the new position at the county, Horwedel said he has no plans to move out of Plant City.
“Plant City is a terrific place,” he said.
Furthermore, he expects there will be no shortage of applicants for the city manager position.
“This is a dynamic city in a dynamic county; there’s an opportunity to do a lot of things right,” Horwedel said. “This job is going to be an attractive one, in a high-profile county. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t jump at the opportunity.”
Associate Editor Amber Jurgensen contributed to this report.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.