SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council Wednesday night approved a Recruitment Profile and agreed on a salary range of $110,000-$130,000, as the process of finding a replacement for former City Manager Al Minner inched forward.
To assist in the search, Council has enlisted the support of a retired former city manager from the Florida City and County Management Association Range Rider program. Kurt Bressner, a Range Rider from Vero Beach and a former Boynton Beach City Manager, prepared the draft profile in conjunction with the City Administrative Services Department, and provided guidance and suggestions as Council reviewed it.
Noting that the average salary for comparable Florida cities and counties with similar populations was about $124,000, he reminded Council that Minner had come to Sebastian during a recession and had “taken it on the chin – freezing his salary. It comes with the territory.”
The result, he said, was that the City’s current salary for the position “places you below market.” He recommended a range of $115,000-$135,000 or $120,000-$140,000.
Settling on a salary range prompted a lively discussion as Council batted several numbers about. Councilman Jerome Adams suggested a range of $110,000-$125,000 and noted that it doesn’t include the other benefits that would be negotiated.
“The reason people stay here is because it’s a great place to work,” said Councilwoman Andrea Coy. “We might be able to go the average or below and still attract quality people who want to leave the Rat Race.”
Vice-Mayor Jim Hill suggested $110,000-$130,000 and said the $20,000 gap between high- and low-end Bressner had presented should remain.
Bressner reviewed the next steps: an ad will be placed in a variety of appropriate publications, with a deadline to submit applications of March 28. Bressner and two other Range Riders will review the applications and narrow the field to 10-12 candidates, screening out those who have not been in their current positions for a minimum of two years and those with ethical, legal or other issues discovered by “our basic litmus test.”
“One or two will drop out,” Bressner said. “They’ll find another job or flame out on the background check – we do some preliminary vetting. So you might end up with anywhere from four to seven.”
Council will select the finalists at the April 9 meeting and immediately enlist an outside agency to do preliminary background checks.
Interviews should be scheduled for May 9-10 or 16-17. Although Bressner didn’t want to guess how many applicants the City could expect.
“You’ll get a strong interest,” he said. “You have a great city. You’re very blessed here.”
Before the Council vote, Sebastian businessman and frequent Council critic Damien Gilliams came forward to respond to Bressner’s presentation and the ensuing discussion.
“That confirms everything!” he said. “You’ve just nominated Joe Griffin (the city’s interim City Manager)! He’s your man! We need one more vote to stop this nonsense right now! You have the guy sitting right here!” He gestured to Griffin.
Gilliams was alluding to the several times Hill and Councilman Richard Gillmor had tried to get the Council to choose Griffin immediately.
Although everyone agreed Griffin was great in every way, the process prevailed.
“He has qualifications out the kazoo,” Gilliams continued. “We don’t need to shop this! I’m surprised the Chamber and the community have not come out to support this man. We’ve done our due diligence. We need to get on with the business of this community. Let’s send a message to this community that we promote from within,” he urged.
“But it’s a 2-way street. He may not want this job.” Gilliams said. “Give him a chance. Go with your gut! Please stop this nonsense!”
As Gilliams returned to his seat, there was a motion, a second and a 5-0 “Yes” vote to accept the job description package and proceed with the process.