Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-08-2006 ‎(special-finance director)‎ — reading text

retire within 10 years. Dr. Pullen asked if he has read the Charter of the City of Fort Walton Beach, and how he views the position as a Charter Officer. Mr. Fulkerson replied he has not read the Charter, and views the position as a Charter Officer a great responsibility to both the Council and the citizens. When questioned by Mr. Tucker whether Owensboro is a full- service city, Mr. Fulkerson responded that it was. Mr. Campbell commented on the City of Owensboro receiving the Award of Excellence for 27 years, and that Mr. Fulkerson was on staff for 24 of those years. He asked Mr. Fulkerson what he thought was his greatest achievement during those 24 years, and his response was that the City won the GFOA Award for budgeting his first year there and has received it every year since. As with Ms. Absher, Mr. Patterson questioned Mr. Fulkerson' s ability to adjust to new council persons every two to four years, and his willingness to simplify the budget process to those not readily familiar with it. Mr. Fulkerson responded he has never had a problem adjusting to new Councils; in fact, he considers it a pleasure meeting and working with new people and hearing new ideas. He advised he has always strived to present the budgets in the most user-friendly method as possible, and he would continue to strive to do that. Mr. Holmes inquired what difficulties, if any, he anticipated leaving a system used for 25 years and relearning a new city and new methods. Mr. Fulkerson responded it would be a challenge, and cited differences in millage rates and state statutes, among others. In response to Mr. Patterson' s questions on his management style and how long it would take him to make changes or improvements in the daily operations of the Finance Department, Mr. Fulkerson stated a key point to his style of management is customer service, and that there is a good way and a bad way to make changes; the first thing he would do is learn about the system and the people here before making changes. Mr. Campbell asked Mr. Fulkerson to describe a situation where he had to build a team to solve a problem. He responded that in Owensboro, he built a whole new Finance Department after the swift departure of his predecessor. Mr. Fulkerson also discussed the team that was put in place that worked out an annexation incentive plan and enlarged the City of Owensboro by 10%. Upon questioning, Mr. Fulkerson advised that if hired, he would like to give the City of Owensboro 4 to 6 weeks notice before beginning work for the City of Fort Walton Beach. Special Council Meeting 9- 08- 06 35 JAMES FULKERSON INTERVIEW ( CO NT) Upon questioning by Dr. Pullen regarding working with a military community, Mr. Fulkerson stated that would not be a problem, and noted that has several Kentucky large military facilities as well. Mr. Minich asked Mr. Fulkerson to describe the relationship between the Finance Director and the City Manager. Mr. Fulkerson stated he sees the relationship as akey part of the team. Mr. Minich also inquired how he would handle a financial situation or disagreement with the City Manager, and Mr. Fulkerson informed he would follow the order of the City Manager. The Mayor asked Mr. Fulkerson if he had any closing comments he would like to make. He thanked Council for the opportunity to interview, and stated he feels he has the skills and experience to do a very good job for the City. Mr. Fulkerson' s interview was completed at 1 : 25 p. m. VOTING PROCEDURES Mr. Baenzinger distributed straw ballots to each Council member to fill out, and were returned to the City Clerk, who read the results as follows: Mr. Holmes, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Tucker, and Dr. Pullen voted for Lisa Absher; Mr.Campbell and Mr. Minich voted for James Fulkerson, with Mr. Hartwell absent. Mr. Baenzinger asked Council how they wanted to proceed. Consensus was to have a formal motion and open the floor to discussion of the candidates. Dr. Pullen moved to nominate Lisa Absher to the position of Finance Director. Mr. Tucker seconded motion. Council discussed what they felt were the positive points for each candidate, as well as their concerns. Positive points regarding Ms. Absher included a dynamic personality; flexibility; familiarity with Florida laws and procedures; confidence; and is articulate. Concerns regarding Ms. Absher included a civil rights lawsuit filed against the City of Alachua including its City Manager; lack of longevity in previous employment and that she may be using this position as a stepping stone to further her career; and possible pre- conceived notions regarding ex- military supervisors. Mr. Baenzinger advised if the lawsuit is not already settled, it is very close to being settled. Positive points regarding Mr. Fulkerson included intelligence, experience, and longevity with the City of Owensboro. Concerns regarding Mr. Fulkerson included a lack of motivation; possible unwillingness to try new ideas; and planned retirement in the next few years.  9- 08- 06 Special Council Meeting 36 VOTING PROCEDURES ( CO NT) Council concurred that both candidates had a lot of strengths and are well qualified, and either one would do a fine job as Finance Director. Discussion ensued regarding a possible clause in a contract if Ms. Absher is hired, stating she would have to stay employed by the City for a certain amount of time. The City Manager advised that an individual cannot be forced to stay at a job if they plan to move on, and that could not be placed in a contract. However, Mr. Baenzinger noted that a provision could be included to the effect that any moving expenses would have to be refunded to the City by Ms. Absher if she does not stay employed for a certain amount of time. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to nominate Lisa Absher to the position of Finance Director and it carried by a vote of 4 to 3 with Holmes, Patterson, Tucker, and Pullen in favor and Campbell and Minich opposed ( Hartwell absent). Mr. Baenzinger advised he would contact Ms. Absher and inform her of Council' s decision, and he would emphasizeto her the importance of staying for at least 3 to 5 years at this point in her career, to reflect well on her resume. SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE Mr. Minich moved to authorize the City Manager or designee to negotiate a salary and benefits package with the top ranked candidate, subject to final Council approval. Mr. Tucker seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, and Minich in favor (Hartwell absent). The City Manager advised Council the salary range being considered is between $ 70- 100, 000 a year. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1 : 45 p. m. APPROVED: MAYOR: ATTEST: CITY CLERK Ive September 8. 2006 Special Council MeetinQ for Finance Director: After the vote was taken to negotiate a contract for Lisa Absher, the following discussion was held regarding salary: Joyce: Do you have any specific salary range that you would like us to address? Mayor: You gave. . .it was in the announcement. . . Joyce: All right, all right, as long as you know that' s how I' m going to work.. . Mr. Tucker: What did you advertise? Or did you, the highs and the lows? Joyce: 70 to 90, I mean, 70 to 100. . . Mr. Baenzinger: Yeah, I believe it was 70 to 100. . Joyce: And in the Staff Report I think Mark provided what the average was in the state. Mayor: Mr. Holmes? Mr. Holmes: I don' t think we could have a better negotiator on that issue and I' m sure Ms. Shanahan is going to do the best she can for the City in that aspect. And I also know, some of you all probably never had to make decisions in hiring and firing, and its very interesting to see how some of this comes out. M. r. Campbell being an employer, and Mr. Tucker being an employer. It' s amazing the thought process that goes into making some of these decisions, you just never know what' s going to happen until you sit up here... .  O Q1....~ 0 rI1ri>!::~I.... Q1 0 I';':::: \ N ri>~ ri> rI1 g~ t: J\ Q1 ;>-.!:: Q1 I ~ g~C>... dllJ.d N o ....' . ~ d , 1( 11011) ,- - d:::: , ....:. \ P"" d<U. d Q1~.. fa ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ' g g~~~~~g Q1~. ' tf6~~~~ tf6~ f~~ do N t: J\ o '" I.()N 5 '" Q1 '" a ~.... '" Q1'" I < I> ~ ~ '" I N QO