Interim-City Manager Lake Worth

Comment Up
Although the majority commission, at the Vice Mayor's lead, culled the possibility of our highly qualified assistant city manager taking over the interim city manager position until such time a permanent manager was found, tomorrow night the Commission will decide on the requirements for an Interim City Manager and elect to spend unnecessary money. It is estimated that it will take a minimum of 4 months to find a permanent city manager. This is a commission that was elected to watch out for waste and cut spending. They have, so far, done just the opposite.

The description/requirements for an Interim City Manager in the back-up is as follows:

• Interact with the public, employees, elected officials, and outside agencies and government officials.

• A high degree of oral and written communications skills

• ability to speak in public and represent the City in an official capacity

• Strong knowledge of sound leadership and performance management, community-oriented problem solving, budgeting principles and practices, finance, and interpersonal skills

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Public Administration, Finance, Management or related field from a four (4) year college or university.

• Seven (7) years work experience at the executive level. City Manager and/or Florida municipal or county experience preferred and experience with a municipal electrical power distribution system desirable.

• Military command or business executive/ownership experience also will be considered as a substitute for municipal or county executive level experience.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Membership in International City Management Association (ICMA) or Florida City County Managers Association (FCCMA) preferred.

• ICMA Credentialed Manager designation desirable.

Our own assistant city manager, Kathleen Margoles, has an ICMA credentialed designation, a designation that is of utmost importance for whomever leads our city administration whether it be for 4 month, 6 months or longer. I understand that Maxwell, staying true to form, is challenging its significance. If the source of the information is correct, you have to ask the question--what is the purpose of not seeking the most qualified for this position? What is really going on?

Update: Kathleen Margoles has set me straight. She has been a member of the ICMA for the past 15 years but is not credited. See her comment.