Earlier this week, Plant City commissioners received a 450-page binder stuffed with portfolios from 76 candidates from throughout the country for the vacant city manager position.
But, with differing opinions on the results, ultimately, commissioners opted to keep the application process open as they search for Plant City’s next leader.
Mercer Group Senior Vice President W.D. Higginbotham Jr. was set to present the candidates — and his nine selected finalists — to the commissioners during a special workshop July 14. But, even before Higginbotham took the podium, City Commissioner Mike Sparkman made his opinion of the results clear.
“I was completely disgusted,” he said. “I think this is trash; it’s junk. This is a waste of my time. This meeting tonight is a waste of my time. … We need to go forth and look at the rest of them. We have accomplished nothing — absolutely, positively nothing.”
Higginbotham told commissioners candidates came from a nationwide search that included organizations such as the International City/County Management Association, the Florida League of Cities, as well as the Mercer Group’s own network, which includes operations in 13 states. His nine finalists included five from Michigan and four from Florida.
“We did not focus on Michigan,” he said. “I can’t tell you why we had so many from Michigan. … I don’t look at where they are coming from; I look at their qualifications. Every one of these candidates had advanced education, advanced degrees. … They all have a financial background, and they all have experience.
“They all have economic development experience; some are certified as economic developers,” he said. “Most had experience with community redevelopment agencies, downtown redevelopment agencies, historic preservations, and we talked about those issues.”
Mayor Rick Lott said the process is difficult, because the city has enjoyed years of success with a strong city manager in Interim City Manager David Sollenberger and former City Manager Greg Horwedel.
“We’ve had two excellent city managers; we’ve been very spoiled by (Sollenberger), and I don’t think any of us want anything less,” he said. “I would still like the opportunity to go through the other (applicants) just to see if there was someone else in this group (who) strikes my fancy.”
City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis said she was skeptical about being able to select a worthy candidate purely by résumé and suggested the commission interview Florida candidates in person and out-of-state candidates by phone or video conferencing.
City Commissioner Billy Keel and Vice Mayor Bill Dodson said they both would prefer to pursue more candidates from Florida, because of the intricacies of state law and government. Moreover, Dodson said he would welcome candidates from North Carolina, which has a rich history of the council-manager form of government.
The commission ultimately decided to keep the application process open, examine more closely the 67 other candidates the initial search provided and discuss potential interviews at the next workshop, scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, July 28, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St., Plant City.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
HIGGINBOTHAM’S NINE FINALISTS
Scott Adkins
FROM: Saint Clair, Mich.
CURRENT POSITION: City manager, Roseville, Mich.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, Mich.)
Paul Brake
FROM: Laingsburg, Mich.
CURRENT POSITION: City manager, Grand Blanc, Mich.
EDUCATION: Senior Executive Institute, University of Virginia (Charlottesville); MPA, Western Michigan University; bachelor’s degree, Grand Valley State College (Allendale, Mich.)
Robert Bruner Jr.
FROM: Mount Clemens, Mich.
CURRENT POSITION: Interim city manager, Mount Clemens, Mich.
EDUCATION: Local government management, Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, Mich.); MPA, Wayne State University (Detroit); bachelor’s degree in political science, economics and mathematics, Albion College (Michigan)
William Cooper
FROM: Mount Clemens, Mich.
MOST RECENT POSITION: City manager, Hamtramck, Mich. (2008 to 2012)
EDUCATION: MPA, Walden University (Baltimore); bachelor’s degree, Governors State University (University Park, Ill.)
James Drumm
FROM: Zephyrhills
MOST RECENT POSITION: City manager, Zephyrhills (2011 to 2014)
EDUCATION: MPA, University of South Florida; bachelor’s degree in political science, University of Florida
Eric Johnson
FROM: Tampa
CURRENT POSITION: Director of strategic planning, Hillsborough County
EDUCATION: MPA, University of South Florida; bachelor’s degree in economics, University of Florida
Heath Kaplan
FROM: Muskegon, Mich.
CURRENT POSITION: Finance and management services director, Muskegon County
EDUCATION: MPA and bachelor’s degree, Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids)
Wayne Saunders
FROM: Clermont
CURRENT POSITION: Finance director, Port Orange
EDUCATION: MPA and bachelor’s degree in business administration, Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, N.C.)
Gary Shimun
FROM: Pembroke Pines
CURRENT POSITION: Chief administrative officer, Plantation
EDUCATION: Master’s degree in urban studies, public administration and urban planning University of Akron (Ohio); bachelor’s degree, Northern Michigan University (Marquette, Mich.)