Five candidates and five hours later, Plant City commissioners agreed Aug. 19, to enter contract negotiations with the man they would like to see at the city’s helm.
The commission selected Michael Herr, of Lakeland, as its top choice. Herr currently serves as public works and utility services administrator for the City of Tampa.
The day after the commission’s selection, Interim City Manager David Sollenberger sent an email to city employees confirming the selection. The commission will hold a special meeting Sept. 2, to approve the employee agreement with Herr. His first day in Plant City is scheduled for Sept. 22.
“I believe Mr. Herr will provide excellent administrative leadership (that) Plant City will need as it moves into the future,” Sollenberger wrote.
Herr’s selection comes after commissioners hosted two days of public interviews with its five finalists.
Before the motion to select Herr, commissioners also discussed Wayne Saunders as a finalist. Vice Mayor Bill Dodson also mentioned Gary Shimun as his third pick.
“We’re very, very fortunate to have two gentlemen who could lead our team,” Mayor Rick Lott said of Herr and Saunders. “The energy, the effort, the relationship would be the same.”
But Lott said Herr’s extensive experience uniting 17 cities in Polk County as county manager would benefit Plant City.
“It took a lot of effort for him to unite it like that,” Lott said. “He’s created the plan, and he’s implemented it.”
The rest of the city commissioners agreed Herr was a strong candidate. Commissioners Mike Sparkman and Mary Mathis had picked Saunders as a first choice, with Herr as a second choice.
“It just seemed like (Saunders) had that home-type personality to me,” Mathis said.
Commissioner Billy Keel made the motion to instruct Mercer Group Senior Vice President W.D. Higginbotham Jr., who was in charge of the search, to enter negotiations with Herr under the current parameters, which include a salary range of $120,000 to $135,000. Herr would be taking a pay cut by accepting the position under the salary specifications.
Herr’s background also includes experience as transportation director and public works director for Polk County; director of public works for Lakeland; town manager of Dundee; and deputy county administrator of Hernando County.
During the interviews, there was no one present, except the commissioners, Sollenberger, City Attorney Ken Buchman, Higginbotham and the candidates. Each commissioner was given a chance to ask multiple questions on rotating basis during the interview process.
Last month, commissioners received a 450-page binder with portfolios from 76 candidates from throughout the country. The commission narrowed the field to seven and then five.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
HOW THEY COMPARE
MICHAEL HERR
FROM: Lakeland
CURRENT POSITION: Public works and utility services administrator, Tampa
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree, Indiana State University
Michael Herr has held a variety of positions with the City of Tampa and Polk County. City commissioners Mike Sparkman and Billy Keel were concerned Herr was overqualified for the position in Plant City. But, Herr reassured them he was a good fit.
“I’m at my best when I have the opportunity to work with a City Commission … to develop a community,” Herr said. “I have not just driven through your city.”
Herr spent last Saturday at Bruton Memorial Library, remarking that it had about 70 people at it and calling the facility an asset. If selected, he planned to get involved in civic organizations, as well.
Herr’s plans for economic development for Plant City include Midtown.
“I think marketing is key,” Herr said. “Plant City is open for business. … I can help with that.”
Herr also wants to make sure the city is focusing on succession. When employees retire, the city should grow and recruit from within, he said.
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.)
Wayne Saunders has been working for the past 18 months as the finance director in Port Orange. But, city management is where he wants to be.
“It didn’t take long to realize that city management is my profession,” he said. “The more homework I did on what the (Plant City) does, what the city stands for, I realize this is what I want to do.”
Saunders described himself as a participatory manager, with emphasis on prioritizing and timely correspondence.
“If you want to get the job done, you have to delegate,” Saunders said.
When it comes to economic development, Saunders described his plans with Clermont when freezes came through and froze the town’s lucrative citrus industry. He took 2,000 acres with no infrastructure or zoning and created an operational center that includes two hotels, several restaurants, a hospital and a community college.
Several of Plant City’s development plans interest him.
“Things like when you get into Midtown plan and the Northeast plan — that’s fun,” Saunders said.