FBCC evaluates performance of Charter Officers

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 24, 2018 12:44 p.m.

At the end of each Fiscal Year, Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) evaluate the performances of their three Charter Officers:  the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the City Manager.  This year was no exception.  Commissioners provided the public with some insight into their evaluations at the end of their September 18, 2018 Regular Meeting.

Over the years, commissioners have handled this task in a variety of ways ranging from one-on-one oral evaluation sessions with each employee to completing detailed evaluation forms or memos.

This year proved no exception, with each commissioner handling the evaluations in his own way.

Vice Mayor Len Kreger reported that he had completed written evaluations of each Charter Officer as well as meeting with them individually.  He said that City Manager Dale Martin had met his expectations and worked toward meeting Kreger’s goals on the Capital Improvement Plan and project management.  He expressed the hope that the city would begin working on the Evaluation and Review process (EAR) to revise the city’s Comprehensive Plan soon.  He rated City Attorney Bach as having exceeded expectations in three areas.  He did ask that she reduce more opinions to writing than has been her practice. Kreger rated City Clerk Caroline Best as exceeding expectations in seven areas.  “Caroline has been the most responsive to all requests I’ve made,” Kreger said.

Commissioner Chip Ross said, “As required by the Charter I met individually with each of the Charter Officers and discussed any concerns that I had.”

Commissioner Roy Smith said that he had met with all the Charter Officers as well and continued his practice of giving out numerical scores as evaluations.  He rated each Officer as 93.  He said about City Manager Dale Martin, “He really does a good job.  The thing about him is that he follows through.”  Smith cited the complexities of the marina project as example.  “It was a lot tougher than people think.”

Commissioner Phil Chapman also met with the three Charter Officers.  He said, “Tammi has helped me as a rookie take very complicated issues and make them very clear and understandable.  Caroline has often come to my aid with technical issues.  Dale has been very responsive.  When I find little things, he doesn’t get his feathers ruffled.  I honestly think that overall when you look at how these people represent our city, they do a great job.  I think we commissioners should be proud of the work they put in.  They go above and beyond.  They don’t punch a time clock.”

Mayor John Miller said that he has ongoing private conversations with the Charter Officers on their performance.  “I try to do it on an ongoing basis and not save it up until the end of the year,” he said. “I’m a big fan of counseling in private and praising in public.  I’ve got nothing but good to say.  If I were looking for something that needed counseling, I’d have to make it up. … Kudos to all of you.”

There was no discussion of salary increases for the Charter Officers.

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.