Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 5, 2015 9:49 a.m.
Rick Conner, representing Colin Baenziger and Associates, updated the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) at its August 4, 2015 Regular Meeting on the status of recruitment efforts for the City Manager position, which will become vacant when current City Manager Joe Gerrity departs the end of the fiscal year.
According to the Baenziger spokesman, their ad, which listed a closing date of July 31, 2015, has generated considerable interest. The applicant pool contains many new candidates, not previously vetted by Baenziger. There are 92 applications for the position, 30 percent of which are from Florida. There is considerable diversity in the applicant pool, which represents 31 states and the District of Columbia.
Currently, Baenziger has identified 13 applicants who would seem to be a good fit for Fernandina Beach, although the evaluation of applicants is ongoing. Commissioners may expect to receive electronically the applications from the strongest applicants in early September. They will meet with Baenziger in a public meeting on September 8 to select those candidates who will be interviewed.
As of this writing, the city plans to host a public reception for finalists on September 21 at the Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse. The following day the commissioners will meet one-on-one with the finalists during the day in private sessions. At 6:00 p.m. the FBCC will convene to hold public interviews before the entire commission. The commissioners have scheduled a meeting to make their decision for the evening of September 23, 2015.
Dates and times of meetings are subject to change. For the most current information, check the city website’s calendar at www.fbfl.us.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.