Signed, sealed, delivered: Longboat Key has a new town manager

Longboat Key has its man.

The Town Commission on Monday voted 6-1 to ratify a five-year contract allowing Tom Harmer, the Sarasota County administrator, to take over as town manager in December. Vice Mayor Ed Zunz cast the dissenting vote.

While criticism of Harmer was hard to find, criticism of the recruiting and hiring process wasn’t.

“I don’t think we can find a better person who has more of the right background for this community than Mr. Harmer,” said Commissioner Jim Brown. “I don’t think we will be disappointed.”

On Monday, the commission had approved an already negotiated contract, which town officials said was based on Town Manager Dave Bullock’s 2011 agreement with the town.

 Harmer will make a base salary of $187,000 annually — he makes $207,625 with the county.

In voting no, Zunz referred to Harmer as “extremely well-qualified for this position,” but took issue with the how rather than the who. “I have a serious problem with the manner in which we arrived here so quickly and found ourselves with only one candidate to discuss.” 

From start to finish

After commissioners first discussed the hiring process on June 5, Bullock said three people were on his list of  prospective candidates. Ultimately, two were not available, but Harmer was his top pick.

On June 19, commissioners directed Bullock to pursue Harmer as a candidate.  Then, Harmer met individually with commissioners.

On July 12, Harmer told the County Commission he had accepted Longboat Key’s offer, pending commission approval.

“He has the right experience and background,” Bullock said after Monday’s meeting. “More importantly, he has the right values and temperament.”

Commissioner George Spoll said the vice mayor was “reflecting a reaction” among some Key residents who desired an elaborate search bearing multiple candidates for the position. In early June, Spoll had suggested the town seek candidates nationwide.

“By selecting a group of people and comparing them and having that discussion, it validates the wisdom of your final choice,” Spoll said. “I’m not questioning, personally, the qualifications of Mr. Harmer. I don’t think anybody would do so.”

Former Commissioner Lynn Larson took issue that the contract was signed by Harmer and Town Attorney Maggie Mooney-Portale before going to the commission.

“That’s wrong,” Larson said.

However, at the meeting, Larson urged commissioners to hire Harmer, but she implored commissioners to remove all automatic renewals from the five-year deal.

Planning and Zoning Board Chairwoman B.J. Bishop said the chance to hire someone with Harmer’s qualifications is a “rare opportunity,’’ adding any question of whether Bullock followed the commission’s direction is “insulting” to the “great work” Bullock has done.

“I am embarrassed for this town that Mr. Harmer has had to sit here and listen to this discussion,” Bishop said. “I am embarrassed for this community.”

Mayor Terry Gans argued that Bullock followed the commission’s instructions, and the result was the contract with Harmer.

“We have someone … that we all like and we all agree is a proper man for the job,” Gans said. “And we’re muddying it with questions of, ‘Did the angels dance on a pin in a certain way?’”

Getting to know him

Harmer has more than 30 years’ experience in local government, including eight spent as city manager of Titusville, a town of about 44,000 adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s east coast. He has been county administrator for Sarasota since 2014.

After the positive vote, Harmer told commissioners he’s enjoyed his time as county administrator, but the chance to serve the Key as town manager is “difficult to turn down.” He added that he understands how important the commission’s decision is for the Longboat community.

“This is a unique opportunity. It doesn’t come up very often,” Harmer said. “I am here today very thankful that you initially thought of me.”

Looking ahead

In June, Assistant Town Manager Mike Hein expressed interest in the job. Bullock hired Hein in late 2015. Hein has more than 25 years of experience in public service, including a four-year stint as city manager of Tucson, Ariz.

Believing he was speaking on behalf of the town staff, Hein said he is excited to work with Harmer, who brings years of local experience to the job.

“I enjoy working with the community and hope to further contribute in whatever capacity,” Hein added.

Like Hein, the members of the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force are eager to learn Harmer’s vision for the Key, according to Chairman Tom Freiwald.

“We’re very happy for the new town manager,” he said. “We look forward to working with him.”

Bullock said the transition will be smooth.

“After three months, everybody will forget my name,” he said.