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RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR QUOTES FOR
SEARCH FIRM FOR POSITION OF
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
RFQ #: 07-13
Colin Baenziger & Associates
Project Manager and Contact Person:
Colin Baenziger, (561) 707-3537
Colin Baenziger & Associates
12970 Dartford Trail • Suite 8
Wellington, FL 33414
e-mail:Colin@cb-asso.com
Fax: (888) 635-2430
…Serving Our Clients with a Personal Touch…
PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SEARCH SERVICES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 1
I. QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FIRM 3
The Firm
Our Services
Technical Capabilities and Organizational Structure
Completion of Projects within Budget
Completion of Projects on Schedule
Search Completion Rate
Diversity
Litigation
Insurance
Association Memberships
Comparable Public Contracts
Number of Searches for County Administrator and City Manager Level
Positions
Candidate Compensation to the Firm – None
Fair Credit Reporting Act Effective January 1, 2013
E-Verify
II. WHAT SETS CB&A APART 8
Experience and Approach
Results
III. PROJECT STAFF 10
Project Team and Involvement
Resumes of Key Staff
IV. REFERENCES 15
V. FEE AND WARRANTY 19
VI. APPROACH METHODOLOGY 21
APPENDIX A: COMPARABLE GOVERNMENTAL SEARCH ASSIGNMENTS A-1
APPENDIX B: ALL GOVERNMENTAL SEARCH ASSIGNMENTS B-1
APPENDIX C: SAMPLE RECRUITMENT BROCHURE C-1
APPENDIX D: SAMPLE CANDIDATE REPORT D-1
APPENDIX E: RESOLUTION OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY E-1
APPENDIX F: REQUIRED FORMS F-1
December 10, 2012
The Honorable Chairman Don Amunds, Vice-Chairman Dave Parisot, and Commissioners
Nathan Boyles, Wayne Harris and Kelly Windes
ATTENTION: Mr. Richard L. Brannon, Purchasing Director
Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners
602-C North Pearl Street
Crestview, Florida 32536
Dear Chairman Amunds, Vice-Chairman Parisot and Commissioners Boyles, Harris and Windes:
We at Colin Baenziger & Associates (CB&A) would like to thank you for the opportunity to
submit this proposal to assist you in the search for your next County Administrator.
While CB&A is a national recruiting firm having conducted assignments from Florida to Alaska
and Maine to California, we specialize in Florida. In fact, we have been selected to perform 76
of the last 104 City and County Manager searches where a Florida local government has used a
recruiting firm. We pride ourselves on providing not just high quality results, but equally
important, we provide a great deal of personal attention to each of our local government clients.
To conduct a proper recruitment, we feel the project manager must do more than just drop by
occasionally. He/she must get to know the appropriate government officials personally and the
community firsthand. That effort takes time, but it is the only way to ensure the candidates we
recommend are well qualified and a good fit for your community. As a result, we only take a
few clients at a time and focus on getting the job done properly. Further, we routinely complete
our work in 60 to 90 days and that includes preparation of recruitment and advertising materials,
candidate outreach, candidate screening, finalist interviewing and manager selection. We also
offer the best warranty in the industry.
While selecting key personnel is never easy, CB&A has developed a process that has been tested
nationwide and found to be extremely effective. Not only do we offer unparalleled service at a
reasonable price, we focus on finding just the right people for your organization. We say people,
and not person, because our goal is to bring you five finalists who are so good that you will have
a difficult time choosing among them. The proof is in the fact that five of our local government
clients have passed resolutions thanking us for our outstanding efforts in finding their key staff.
We do not know how often you have passed a resolution thanking a consulting firm for its
efforts, but we have rarely seen it happen. Our goal, in fact, would be for you to be our next
client to pass such a resolution.
DULUTH, GA MONTEREY, CA RHINELANDER, WI RICHLAND, WA WELLINGTON, FL
Letter to Okaloosa County, FL, December 10, 2012 Page 2
Some of our Florida searches include City Managers for Destin, Fort Pierce, Key Biscayne,
Melbourne, Palm Coast and Sunrise as well as County Managers for Bay, Clay, Flagler,
Hernando and St. Johns Counties. Some of recent national searches include Fayetteville, NC,
Portland, ME, Roanoke, VA, Tacoma, WA, and Yakima, WA. We have also sought the
Borough Manager for Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska (a county the size of West Virginia),
County Managers for Polk County, IA, Clay County, FL, and Union County, NC; and an
Economic Development Director and also a Human Resources Director for Loudoun County,
VA. Our current searches include, among others, the City Managers for Doraville, GA, the
Planning Director for Roanoke, VA, the Finance Director and the Treasurer for the City of
Miami, FL, the Fire Chief for Cape Coral, FL, and the Human Resources Directors for West
Palm Beach, FL. Shortly after the first of the year we will begin searches for the City Managers
of Monroe, NC, Normandy Park, WA, and Scottsdale, AZ.
We look forward to formally presenting our credentials and working with you in the near future.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (561) 707-3537.
Sincerely,
Colin Baenziger
Principal / Owner
… Serving Our Clients with a Personal Touch
I. Colin Baenziger & Associates
Qualifications of Colin Baenziger & Associates
The Firm, Its Philosophy & Its Experience
Established in 1997, Colin Baenziger & Associates (CB&A) is a nationally recognized executive
recruiting firm owned and operated by Colin Baenziger. We are a sole proprietorship qualified
to do business in Florida and have operated under our current name and been headquartered at
our current address in Palm Beach County, FL, since our founding. We also have offices in
Monterey, CA, Duluth, GA, Rhinelander, WI, and Richland, WA. As a sole proprietorship, we
are not registered with any states as a corporation, foreign or otherwise. Nor are we affiliated
with any other business entity. Although our primary focus is executive search, we are often
involved in operational reviews of governmental operations. Our consultants live in other areas
of the country and converge on the location where the client’s needs exist. We develop an
operational plan prior to arrival, and our team of experts quickly studies the issues, identifies
problems and opportunities, performs the necessary analysis, develops solutions, prepares reports
and action plans, and completes the assignment. The client receives prompt, professional
service, and its needs are addressed. We are available for follow-up work, but our goal is to
provide the client with solutions that it can implement without additional outside assistance.
Colin Baenziger & Associates’ outstanding reputation is derived from our commitment to
timeliness and quality. Our work is not done until you are satisfied. That means we go the extra
mile and, at times, expend more effort and energy than originally anticipated in our fee or in our
action plan. We do not, however, ask the client for additional fees. Rather we accept these
situations as part of our cost of doing business. We simply believe that once a contract is signed,
we have an obligation to fulfill its requirements with excellence and within the budgeted amount.
Since 2002, we have focused on executive search for local governments. During that period we
have conducted searches and/or other work for clients in nineteen states. Since beginning its
search practice in 1998, the staff at CB&A has performed over 125 City / County / Special
District Manager searches and approximately 200 local government searches overall. The basic
approach we have presented in Section III is the approach we have used in every one of our
searches. It has, of course, been refined over the years.
Our Services:
Human Resources Operational Reviews
Executive Search Performance Improvement
Background Checks Contract Compliance Reviews
Position Descriptions/Classification Studies Project Management
Compensation Studies Performance Measurement Systems
Personnel Policies/Procedures Reviews Standard Operating Procedures Manuals
Employee Handbooks Staffing Assessments
Additional Services Planning
Preparing Grant Applications Strategic Planning
Grant Monitoring Systems and Controls Operational Planning
Start-up Assistance to New Cities Project Planning
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I. Colin Baenziger & Associates (continued)
Technical Capabilities and Organizational Structure
Colin Baenziger & Associates has developed its business model over the past 14 years. The model
has proven to be extremely effective in every state we have applied it and for every type of position.
In fact we are often called when a government has a particularly difficult position to fill or where
one of our competitors has failed. Overall, we utilize approximately 18 people. Most staff
members are independent contractors and are given assignments on a task order basis.
Consequently we can pay well while having a great deal of flexibility without the overhead of many
firms. In addition to Mr. Baenziger, other senior staff members are former City and/or County
Managers or elected officials. As a result, we understand both perspectives and have been very
successful in identifying the right candidates for our clients. CB&A’s other staff are all competent
researchers and writers and most have been with us for a long time.
Colin Baenziger Paul Wilson
Owner & Principal Senior Editor
Tom Andrews David Collier John Darrington
Senior Vice President Senior Vice President Senior Vice President
Kathyrn Knutson Ron Stock Merv Timberlake
V P - Operations Vice President VP – Financial Recruiting
Senior Research Associates Administrative Assistants
Internet Specialists (2)
(8) (2)
Completion of Projects within Budget
Colin Baenziger & Associates is proud of its record of completing searches within budget. When
we quote a price to the client, that price is what the client will pay, no matter how difficult the
search is or what unforeseen circumstances may develop. We have never asked a search client for
additional fees, even when we were entitled to do so.
-4-
I. Colin Baenziger & Associates (continued)
Completion of Projects on Schedule
Colin Baenziger & Associates routinely completes its assignments in 60 to 90 days (see Appendix
A). Further, since CB&A began performing recruitments, it has never missed a project milestone.
Search Completion Record
In every case CB&A has been selected to perform a City or County Manager search, the search
has been completed and the client has selected from one of our recommended candidates.
Further, we have never been fired before a search was completed.
Diversity
CB&A is widely recognized for its ability to find and attract women and minorities for the positions
we recruit for. For example, from the beginning of 2009 through the end of 2011, 43% for the
individuals whom we placed as City and County Managers have been minorities and/or women.
Litigation
Colin Baenziger & Associates has never been involved in any litigation, except to testify as an
expert witness on behalf of one of the parties. Our performance has never been questioned nor
have we or any of our clients been involved in any legal action as a result of our work.
Insurance
To protect our clients, Colin Baenziger & Associates maintains the following insurance
coverages: (1) general liability insurance of $1 million combined single limit per occurrence for
bodily injury, personal injury and property damages, (2) automobile liability insurance of $1 million
per accident, and (3) professional liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence. As a small firm,
utilizing independent contractor predominantly, we are not typically subject to the requirements for
workers compensation and employer liability insurance. If required by the client, and if it is
available to us, we will obtain these two coverages prior to contract execution.
Association Memberships
Many of the staff at CB&A are members of the International City/County Management Association
and its state affiliates. The firm is not a member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants
but does adhere to its Professional Guidelines and Ethics
-5-
I. Colin Baenziger & Associates (continued)
Comparable Public Contracts
See Appendix A. In each case, we followed the methodology proposed in this proposal.
Number of Searches for County Administrator and City Manager Level Positions
We have performed approximately 125 searches for City and County Manager equivalent positions.
Ten of these searches have been for jurisdictions with populations in excess of 180,000. It should
be noted that, according to the ICMA, there are only 180 cities in the country that utilized the
Commission-Manager plan and have a population in excess of 100,000. Similar data is not
available for counties but Florida only has 26 counties with populations over 180,000.
Candidate Compensation to the Firm – None
CB&A will assist candidates from time to time in improving their resumes and provide advice but
we have never accepted any compensation from a candidate for any reason. We consider it a
conflict of interest to accept anything from a candidate, whether we have recommended or placed
them.
Fair Credit Reporting Act Effective January 1, 2013
We comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act now and will comply with all changes effective
beginning January 1, 2013.
E-Verify
We are a registered user of E-Verify.
-6-
Some of CB&A’s Clients…
Clay County, FL Flagler County, FL
County Manager County Administrator
St. Johns County, FL Brevard County, FL
County Administrator County Manager
Director, Economic Development
-7-
II. What Sets Us Apart
Since 1997, Colin Baenziger & Associates (CB&A) has developed an extensive municipal
practice. The key element is executive search and our first client was the City of Lauderdale
Lakes, FL, in 1998. Briefly, we believe that the County would be wise to select us because:
Experience and Approach
We recruit nationally and know many of the country’s local government professionals
personally. We have an extraordinary talent for determining who will fit well (and who
will not) in the particular situation.
Our lead recruiter is Colin Baenziger. He has served as a Manager, as well as an elected
board member for a master homeowners association composed of 22,000 residents. He
can thus relate to both appointed and elected officials and speaks their language. Tom
Andrews is the former County Manager for Fulton County, GA, and Ann Arundel
County, MD as well as having worked in the government of the State of Maryland. Dave
Collier has served as a City and County Manager in Florida, Kansas and Michigan.
CB&A knows many of the country’s professional managers personally. We have an
extraordinary talent for determining who fits well in which situation and who does not.
We tailor our approach to the community. Once we fully understand the elected body,
the community and the issues, we aggressively seek the candidates who are right for you.
We can move quickly. Utilizing a true executive search approach and very limited
advertising, we can have a short list of candidates within two to four weeks.
The caliber of our work is better. Because we have not conducted hundreds of searches
and we depend on word of mouth advertising, our reputation is critical to us.
We continue to work with you after the position is filled. If issues arise six or twelve
months later between the employee and employer, we will assist the parties in working
through them at no additional charge.
We are reasonably priced, and not because we do less. In fact, we do much more than
our competitors. We have focused our efforts on minimizing our overhead. We simply
do not have the expenses other firms do, and we can pass the savings on to you.
We are very adept at working with the electronic and print media. Should the County
wish, we are very comfortable serving as its media spokesperson for the search.
Our warranty is the best in the industry.
Finally, although we move quickly, we do not rush the process. We carefully evaluate
every potential candidate, scrutinize their background information and make sound
recommendations to the client.
-8-
II. What Sets Us Apart (continued)
Results:
On the preceding page, we outlined what sets us apart. The proof, however, is in the results we
have achieved. Specifically:
Our clients are extremely satisfied with our work. In fact five of them have passed
resolutions thanking us for our extraordinary efforts recruiting their managers.
We have never missed a significant project milestone.
No matter how complicated the search became or what unforeseen circumstances arose,
we have never asked a client for additional monies beyond the fee we initially quoted.
Every one of our City and County Manager searches has ended in a successful placement.
We have become recognized as a leader in municipal recruiting, and we are frequently
called upon to speak at the conferences of the league of cities, the local and national city
and county management associations and the other professional bodies. We offer the best
warranty in the industry. We can offer it because we have confidence in our work. (See
Section V of this proposal.)
Summary:
Colin Baenziger & Associates is the firm you should select to conduct your search because we
are knowledgeable and effective while also being very reasonably priced. We are extremely
adept at determining who is a good fit for your organization and will find the best person to serve
as your County Administrator for the long term. Further, we complete our work on time and on
budget.
-9-
III. Project Staff
Project Team and Involvement (Resumes for key staff follow)
CB&A is an experienced recruiting firm and strongly believes that the majority of the search
work should be conducted by one knowledgeable person with a strong back-up. Colin Baenziger
will be the lead person, and he will serve as project manager. He will conduct the interviews
with the elected officials, search for strong candidates, discuss the position with those candidates,
recruit them, conduct the interviews with the candidates, conduct the background investigations,
oversee the interview process, and assist with the contract negotiations. Mr. Baenziger holds a
Bachelor’s degree from Carleton College and a Master’s degree with distinction from Cornell
University’s Graduate School of Management. In addition to 15 years as a consultant, Mr.
Baenziger spent 10 years in government as a senior manager. Overall, he has been the firm’s
Project Manager for 100 city and county manager searches.
Tom Andrews, senior vice president, will be the Deputy Project Manager and support for Mr.
Baenziger. Mr. Andrews will assist in virtually every aspect of the search effort but will focus on
the search for strong candidates and candidate evaluation. Before joining the firm, Mr. Andrews
served as County Administrator for Fulton County, Georgia, and in high level county and state
positions in Maryland.
David Collier, senior vice president, will serve as the recruitment manager and assist with the
identification and screening of candidates. He has over 30 years of experience as a senior level
local government manager in several states including Maryland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts
degree in economics and his Master’s degree in public administration from the American
University in Washington, D.C. He is a past president of the Maryland City Managers
Association and the Florida Association of County Administrators.
Kathyrn Knutson, Vice President for Operations, will be responsible for coordinating the
advertising and production of the materials we will present to you as described in the Recruitment
Approach.
Colin Baenziger Tom Andrews
Project Manager Deputy Project Manager
Kathyrn Knutson David Collier
Vice President - Operations Recruitment Manager
Research Associates
-10-
III. Project Staff (continued)
Colin Baenziger, M.P.A.
Principal
Colin Baenziger is a student of local government and responsible
for the executive recruitment functions at Colin Baenziger &
Associates. Over the years, he has worked with a number of cities
on recruitments, and on management, operational, and
organizational issues. As a former manager and someone who
actively consults with governments, he understands what it takes to
do the manager’s job, and to do it effectively. Furthermore,
because he is active in a number of professional associations, he
knows many of the nation’s managers on a first-name basis.
Some of Mr. Baenziger’s searches for local governments include:
Public Works Director, Chandler, AZ (population 250,000).
City Manager, Coral Gables, FL (population 42,000),
City Manager, Cottonwood Heights, UT (population 34,000),
City Manager, Fife, WA (population 8,200)
City Manager, Greensboro, NC (population 259,000),
Village Manager, Key Biscayne, FL (population 11,000),
Economic Development Director, Loudoun County, VA (population 290,000)
Community Development Director, Miami, FL (population 373,000)
Borough Manager, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska (population 88,000),
City Manager, Miami Gardens, FL (population 103,000),
City Manager, Orange City, FL (population 10,000),
City Manager, Palm Coast, FL (population 51,000),
City Manager, Portland, ME (population 65,000),
City Manager, Roanoke, VA (population 93,000),
General Manager, Tampa Bay Water Authority (serving a population of 2.4 million), and
County Manager, Union County, NC (population 290,000)
Other recent efforts include a strategic planning session for the Florida Association of Special
Districts, an operational review of Tamarac's water utility, a business practices review for a
division of Martin County government, an operational reconciliation for Palm Beach County
Water, development of an automated system to pay royalties to featured recording artists for the
Recording Industry Association of America, and a review of financial procedures for a division
of the Marriott Corporation.
Mr. Baenziger has a Master's Degree with Distinction in Public Administration from Cornell
University's Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton
College. He is also active in the International City Management Association and the Florida City
and County Management Association. He has also been called upon frequently to speak at
conferences of the Utah and Florida City/County Managers’ Associations, and the Florida Public
Personnel Association.
-11-
III. Project Staff (continued)
Tom Andrews, M.S.
Senior Vice President
Tom Andrews is CB&A’s management guru. With over 30 years
management experience in federal, state and local governments, he
has been there, done that. With his no-nonsense approach to
problem solving and his keen ability to recognize management
talent and leadership potential, he is an asset to any client. His
talent for mentoring has resulted in former employees occupying
senior local government positions from Maryland to Florida.
In addition to his comprehensive and successful experience as a
generalist, Tom possesses technical expertise in water resources
management, environmental regulation, and public health.
Some of the top leadership positions that Tom has held include
County Manager of Fulton County, GA, Chief Administrative Officer
for Anne Arundel County, MD, County Health Director for Anne Arundel County, MD, Deputy
Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department
of Natural Resources, Director, Maryland Water Resources Administration and Chief of Staff for
Maryland Acting Governor Blair Lee III.
Some of the recruitments Tom has been involved in for CB&A are:
Director, Watershed Management, DeKalb County, GA,
Executive Director, Environment and Infrastructure, Pinellas County, FL,
City Manager, Fayetteville, NC,
City Manager, Greensboro, NC,
City Manager and City Attorney, Roanoke, VA,
County Manager, Brevard County, FL,
Deputy City Manager, Durham, NC
Budget Director, St. Petersburg, FL, and
Director of Economic Development for Loudoun County, VA.
In addition, Tom has conducted numerous leadership seminars for state and local government
mid-level managers. He is also presently an adjunct professor at Georgia Southern University
teaching the occasional graduate level public administration course.
Tom earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and his
Masters in Natural Resources Administration from the Institute of Public Administration of the
University of Michigan. He has been a member of the Georgia County-City Managers
Association, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, and the National Association of
Counties. Tom has also served as President of the Maryland Association of County Health
Officers, Member of the Anne Arundel County YMCA Board of Directors and President of the
Providence Center Board of Directors, a non-profit agency serving the developmentally disabled.
-12-
III. Project Staff (continued)
Dave Collier, M.P.A.
Senior Vice President
Dave Collier brings to the client over 30 years of management
experience in county and city government. Since there is not much
that he has not seen previously, Dave quickly produces efficient
and effective solutions to problems for his clients.
One of Dave’s specialties is executive search. With his many years
of experience, he can quickly separate the wheat from the chaff and
find the right person to join your senior staff or be your department
head. He also has successfully conducted organizational reviews,
sessions in team building and strategic planning workshops. Just as
importantly in this day and age of the pressure to lower taxes, he
has developed strategies and action plans for coping with the tough
financial problems that local government often experience.
Dave has overseen the recruitment and selection of:
County Manager, Brevard County, FL,
City Manager, Coral Gables, FL,
City Manager, Cape Canaveral, FL,
City Manager, Dania Beach, FL,
City Manager, North Miami, FL,
City Manager, Orange City, FL,
City Manager, West Melbourne, FL,
City Administrator, West Park, FL,
Finance Director for Tamarac, FL, and
Environmental Resources Director for St. Lucie County, FL.
While serving as City Manager of Stuart, Florida for 14 years, he improved the professionalism
of City Department Heads and staff through an emphasis on professional development and team
building. He also used his hands-on management style to emphasis the need for effective project
management and maintaining tight timelines in order to show citizens that the city government
was effectively managed and had a strong commitment to its customers.
Prior serving in Stuart, Dave was a County Manager in Florida, Kansas and Michigan. He also
has extensive experience in local government consulting.
Mr. Collier earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and his Master’s degree in Public
Administration from the American University in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the
International City/ County Management for over thirty years, served as President of the
Maryland City Managers Association and the Florida Association of County Administrators.
Mr. Collier is involved in his community as a member of the City of Stuart’s CRA Advisory
Board and as a Director of Stuart’s Main Street Association.
-13-
III. Project Staff (continued)
Kathyrn Knutson
Vice President for Operations
Ms. Knutson is a skilled professional with a wealth of public and
private sector experience. Her particular expertise is in special
projects, compensation surveys and background checks for our
executive search candidates. She feels that each client must be
properly served, and that can only be done by devoting her utmost
attention to their particular concerns and by finding creative ways
to solve their problems. In her book, the client comes first.
Since beginning her working relationship as a subcontractor with
Colin Baenziger & Associates, Ms. Knutson has been involved in
virtually every executive search the firm has conducted. Some of
the more notable ones include:
Public Works Director, Chandler, AZ (population 250,000),
City Manager, Town of Bay Harbor Islands (population 5,200),
City Manager, Coral Gables, FL (population 42,000),
City Manager, Cottonwood Heights, UT (population 34,000),
City Manager, Cutler Bay, FL (population 35,000),
City Manager, Fife, WA (population 8,200)
City Manager, Greensboro, NC (population 259,000),
City Manager, Homestead, FL (population 59,800)
Village Manager, Key Biscayne, FL (population 11,000),
City Manager, City of Marathon, FL (population 11,500)
Village Manager, Village of Palmetto Bay, FL (population 24,000)
City Manager, Portland, ME (65,000)
City Manager, Roanoke, VA (population 101,000), and
City Manager, City of West Melbourne, FL (population 15,000).
As noted, a major part of Ms. Knutson's work has been on special projects. For example, she is
responsible for the firm's annual City Manager compensation survey and also has worked with
Palm Beach County Water Utilities reviewing a portion of its billing database. The utility’s
concern was possible under-billing, and our work involved a review of billing records for
reasonableness and consistency, as well as extensive work in the field. Thanks to Ms. Knutson’s
work, the Utility recovered our fee several times over.
Ms. Knutson's prior employment includes stints with Palm Beach County's Department of
Building, Planning, and Zoning, and with the County Health and Rehabilitative Services. She
has also worked with the State of Florida's Department of Corrections and with the State's
Department of Employment Services. She has also been involved with a number of private and
non-profit concerns, such as the Visiting Nurses Association and Oakwood Mental Health Center
of the Palm Beaches. Ms. Knutson has an Associate’s Degree in Business Education from West
Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia. Kathyrn currently resides in Oneida County, WI
-14-
IV. References / City Manager Searches
The staff at Colin Baenziger & Associates has completed over 120 searches for city and county
managers and more than 200 senior-level local government management searches overall.
References are provided below for a number of our most relevant Florida searches as well as two
of our national searches.
1) County Administrator, Bay County, FL (population 158,000).
Contact: Commissioner Mike Nelson at (850) 248-8140 or
mnelson@baycountyfl.gov,
Commissioner Mike Thomas at (850) 248-8140 or
mthomas@baycountyfl.gov
County Administrator Ed Smith at (850) 248-8140.
esmith@baycountyfl.gov
818 West 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Fax: (850) 248-8216
CB&A was selected on June 7, 2005 to perform this search. Our effort involved searching the
country to locate the best people for the job, interviewing them, conducting thorough background
checks, and recommending finalists for the county to interview. The contract was a firm fixed
fee of $18,000 which included our fee and all our expenses. It also included a two year
guarantee should the selected candidate leave for any reason. The only item the county had to
pay for was bringing the candidates and their spouses to the county for the interviews. We were
the prime and only contractor. Interviews were held on September 9th and 10th with Edwin
Smith, former City Manager of Chiefland, FL, and Assistant County Administrator of Marion
County, FL, selected on September 11, 2005 and remains with the County.
2) County Manager Recruitment, Brevard County, FL (population 536,000)
Contact: Commission Chuck Nelson at (321) 454-6601 or
chuck.nelson@brevardcounty.us
Human Resources Director Frank Abbate at (321) 633-2010
frank.abbate@brevardcounty.us
Brevard County Government Center
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Building C
Viera, FL 32940
Brevard County is located near Florida’s east coast and is the home to Cape Canaveral. CB&A
was selected in early May 2009 to the County’s next County Manager. Our work included
recruiting and advertising for candidates, conducting background checks, selecting the most
qualified, recommending them for interviews, coordinating the interview process, and assisting
in the contract negotiations. Interviews took place on July 31st and Howard Tipton, former
Deputy County Administrator for Orange County, FL, was selected on August 4th. Colin
Baenziger served as the project manager for this search.
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IV. References / City Manager Searches (continued)
3) City Manager, City of Destin, FL (population 11,200)
Contact: Mayor Sarah “Sam” Seevers at (850) 654-9770 or
sseevers@cityofdestin.com
Human Resources Director Chuck Garcia at (850) 837-4242, or
cgarcia@cityofdestin.com
City of Destin
4200 Indian Bayou Trail
Destin, FL 32541
We conducted City Manager searches for Destin in 2003 and 2011. Both are described briefly
here. The City is located in the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico near Eglin Air Force
Base. Colin Baenziger & Associates’ contract to find the City of Destin’s City Manager was
awarded on August 15, 2003 and the closing date for applications was September 26th. On
November 3rd, the City Council selected Gregory Kisela, then an Assistant City Manager with
the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL, to be its next City Manager. Mr. Kisela was selected as
Florida’s City Manager of the Year for 2008. He left Destin in 2011 to become County
Administrator for Walton County, FL, and we were retained to find his replacement. We began
on May 24th and the Council selected Ms. Maryann Ustick, formerly the Assistant City Manager
for North Las Vegas, NV, to be the City’s next manager on August 22nd.
4) County Administrator, Flagler County, FL (population 83,000).
Contact: Commissioner George Hanns at (386) 313-4093, or
ghanns@flaglercounty.org
Human Resources Director Joseph Mayer at (386) 313-4007, or
jmayer@flaglercounty.org
Flagler County
1769 East Moody Boulevard
Bunnell, FL 32110
Fax: (386) 313-4107
CB&A was hired in late July 2007 to find the County’s next County Administrator. Our work
included searching the nation to find the right person for the job, interviewing the candidates,
conducting thorough background checks, and recommending finalists for the county to
interview. The contract was a firm fixed fee of $19,250 which included our fee and all our
expenses. It also included a two year guarantee should the selected candidate leave for any
reason. The only item the County paid for was to bring the candidates and their spouses to the
county for the interviews. We were the prime and only contractor and did not use
subcontractors. The County selected Craig Coffey, formerly County Administrator of Desoto
County, on November 5, 2007. Mr. Coffey remains with the County.
5) County Administrator, Hernando County, FL (population 172, 800)
Contact: Commissioner Dave Russell at (352) 754-4000 or
drussell@hernandocounty.us
Cheryl Marsden at (352) 540-6646 or
cmarsden@co.herando.fl.us
20 North Main Street, Room 263
Brooksville, FL 34601
-16-
IV. References / City Manager Searches (continued)
Fax: (352) 754-4477
Hernando County selected CB&A to conduct its County Administrator search in December
2011 and we began work in mid- January of 2012. The County is located a little north of Tampa
on Florida’s Gulf Coast. We were asked to search the nation for the most qualified candidates.
Interviews were conducted on April 5th and 6th. The County selected Mr. Leonard Sossamon,
formerly County Administrator of Newberry County, SC, and City Manager of Concord, NC, on
April 9th.
6) County Manager, St. Johns County, FL (population 162,000)
Contact: Commission Chairman Ron Sanchez (904) 209-0302,
bccd2@sjcfl.us
County Attorney Patrick McCormick at (904) 209-0805, or
pmccormack@co.st-johns.fl.us,
St. Johns County Offices
500 San Sebastian View
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Colin Baenziger & Associates was selected on December 28, 2006, to conduct the County
Administrator search. At the request of the county, we lengthened our normal 90 day process
and interviews were held on May 17th and 18th with a final selection scheduled for May 22, 2007.
Our work included scouring the nation to find the right person for the job, interviewing the
candidates, conducting through background checks, and recommending finalists for the city to
interview. Mr. Michael Wanchick, Assistant City Manager for Richardson, TX, was selected.
We subsequently found a Director of Health and Human Services, a Director of Library Services
and an Economic Development Director for the County.
7) County Administrator, Polk County, IA (population 400,000)
Contact: Former Board Member E.J. Giovannetti at
(515) 286-3120, or EGiovannetti@co.polk.ia.us
Board of Supervisors Project Manager Sue Elliott at
(515) 286-3128.or selliot@co.polk.ia.us
Polk County
111 Court Avenue, Suite 300
Des Moines, IA 50309
Fax: (515) 323-5225
CB&A was hired in mid-April 2007 to find the County’s next County Administrator. Our
work included searching the nation to find the right person for the job, interviewing the
candidates, conducting through background checks, and recommending finalists for the county to
interview. After careful deliberation, the County selected Ronald Olson, formerly Assistant City
Manager of Arlington, TX on July 24, 2007. When Mr. Olson left in April 2011 to become the
City Manager of Corpus Christi, TX, Polk County retained CB&A to find his replacement. The
search began on May 4th, interviews were held on July 21st and 22nd and David Jones, then
County Administrator of Tazewell County, IL, was selected on July 25th.
-17-
IV. References / City Manager Searches (continued)
8) County Manager, Union County, NC (population 198,600)
Contact: Former Commissioner Kim Rogers at (704) 575-4074, or
kimrogers@co.union.nc.us
Former Commissioner Tracy Kuehler at 704-283-3810, or
tracykuehler@co.union.nc.us
Human Resources Director Mark Watson at (704) 283-3869, or
Watson@co.union.nc.us
500 North Main Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Fax: (704) 292-2590
CB&A was formally selected to perform the County Manager on September 7, 2010. We were
asked to conduct the search extremely quickly so that interviews could be conducted prior to the
November election. We sought candidates from around the country, performed the candidate
screening and interviews were held on October 22nd with a selection made on October 25th. The
Commission selected Ms. Cynthia Coto, formerly the County Manager of Volusia County, FL,
and Seminole County, FL. Ms. Coto signed a contract on October 29th and began work on
November 15th. Colin Baenziger served as the lead consultant.
-18-
V. Fee and Warranty
Fee
CB&A does not bid its work based on a fee plus expenses. Instead, we offer an alternative
which is a firm, fixed fee of $21,500. The advantage to the County is it knows exactly what it
will pay. The advantage to CB&A is that we do not have keep track of every minor expense.
It should be noted that the firm, fixed fee includes all our expenses and costs. In other words,
the only thing the County will pay CB&A is the agreed upon fee. The only other costs the
County will be responsible for are the costs associated with the candidates’ (and spouses, if
invited) travel, accommodations and meals for the interview process.
We will bill the fee as the phases are completed and according to the following schedule:
Phase I: Needs Analysis / Information Gathering $ 3,000
Phase II: Recruiting 7,000
Phase III: Screening and Warranty 8,000
Phase IV: Interview Process Coordination and Manager Selection 1,750
Phase V: Negotiation and Continuing Assistance 1,750
As an aside, our fees are not scientifically calculated. Instead they are based on average costs
and have been found to provide the firm with a reasonable profit. They also provide the client
with precise knowledge of what its cost will be if it selects our firm.
If the County asks us to perform work that is clearly beyond the scope of this proposal, it will be
billed at a rate of $125 per hour. No such work will be performed without your written
authorization. Please note that we have never billed - nor requested - additional funds beyond
our originally quoted fee for any search, even when we have been entitled to it.
Warranty
Colin Baenziger & Associates offers the best warranty in the industry. We can offer it because
we have confidence in our work. Provided the County instructs us with conducting a full search
and assuming it selects from among the candidates we recommend, we warrant the following:
1) We will not approach the selected candidate for any other position as long as the
individual is employed by the County.
2) If the selected individual leaves for any reason other than an Act of God (such as total
incapacitation or death) within first year, CB&A will repeat the search at no charge for
our services. If he/she departs during the next year for any reason other than an Act of
God, we will repeat the search for the reimbursement of our expenses only.
3) If you are not satisfied with any of the candidates we present, CB&A will repeat the
search until you are satisfied.
4) Our price is guaranteed and will not be exceeded for any reason, even if conditions
change after the contract is executed.
-19-
More CB&A Clients…
Polk County, IA (County Seat and Osceola County, FL
State Capital is Des Moines
County Administrator County Manager
Union County, NC Hernando County, FL
County Manager County Administrator
-20-
VI. Approach Methodology
The following search methodology / work plan has been refined over the past 12 years, until is it
is virtually foolproof. We will modify it, however, to integrate your ideas into the process. Our
goal is to provide you with the right people for you to interview and to obtain the information
you need to make the right decision.
It should be noted that, while not specifically addressed in this proposal, we frequently work
with Citizen’s Advisory Committees and they can be easily integrated into the process. All we
need to know is the extent of involvement the Commission wishes them to have.
Phase I: Information Gathering and Needs Assessment
Task One: Needs Assessment
An important part of the recruiter’s work is selling the community to the very best candidates
(including those that are not actively looking for the next job) while also providing an accurate
portrayal of the environment. In order to do this, CB&A must first determine the needs of the
client and the characteristics of the ideal candidate. To do so, we:
Compile background information from the jurisdiction’s website and other sources.
Interview the elected officials and other stakeholders. Our goal is to develop a strong
sense of your community, its leadership, its short and long term expectations, and its
challenges;
Determine the characteristics of the ideal candidate. These will likely include experience,
longevity, education, personality, demeanor, and achievements as well as other items the
elected officials and stakeholders consider important), and
Determine a reasonable compensation package.
Typically, we meet with the elected officials individually and then as a group. We also want to
finalize the timeline for the recruitment so that candidates can mark their calendars well in
advance and will be available when the Governing Body conducts its interviews.
Further, as noted above, we routinely incorporate meetings with other stakeholders (such as the
business community, the non-profit community, county staff and so on) to gather their insights.
These forums can be very valuable as they provide additional points of view and a better
understanding of the elements of the community. In a sense, they help us develop an
understanding of the community’s tapestry.
Phase II: Recruitment
Task Two: Develop Recruitment Materials
Based on the information we gather, CB&A will next develop a comprehensive recruitment
profile. Once we have completed our work, we will provide our draft for your review and
comment. Your suggestions will be incorporated, and the final recruitment profile will be used
in our recruiting efforts. A sample of our work is included as Appendix B. Other samples can
be found on our firm’s website under the “Executive Recruitments” / “Active Recruitments”
tabs.
-21-
VI. Approach Methodology
Task Three: Recruit Candidates
We use a number of approaches to identify the right people for this position. We say people, and
not person, because our goal is to bring you six to ten excellent semi-finalists, all of whom will
do the job extraordinarily well and who are so good that you will have a difficult time choosing
among them. Then you can select the top three to five to interview and ultimately the one who is
the best fit with you and your community. These approaches we use to identify candidates are:
Networking. The best approach is diligent outreach. We will network with our
colleagues and consult our data base. As we identify outstanding candidates (many of
whom are not in the market), we will approach them and request that they apply. Many
excellent candidates are reluctant to respond to advertisements because doing so may
alienate their current employers. When we approach them, their credentials are enhanced
rather than diminished.
Advertising. While we will seek out the best, we will not ignore the trade press, which
sometimes yields strong candidates. We intend to contact the members of organizations
such as the National Association of Counties, Florida Association of Counties,
International City/County Management Association, Florida League of Cities, Florida
City and County Management Association and so on. We will also post it on our
website, www.cb-asso.com. We generally do not use newspapers or generic websites
because while they produce large numbers of applications, they generally do not produce
the type of candidates we are seeking.
Email. We will also e-mail the recruitment profile to our list serve of over 7,000
managers and professionals who are interested in local government management. One of
the advantages of e-mail is that if the recipient is not interested, he/she can easily forward
the recruitment profile to someone else who may be.
The Private Sector. Some of our clients ask that private sector candidates be included among
our recommended candidates. While we do not routinely recommend candidates with no
experience in government, we have been very successful in finding highly qualified and capable
private sector people to bring forward.
Phase III: Screening and Finalist Selection
Task Four: Evaluate the Candidates
Based on our most recent recruiting efforts, we anticipate receiving resumes from 40 to 60
applicants. We will narrow the field as described above and present information on candidates
to the Commission. This process requires a mixture of in-depth research and subjective
evaluation. Our process is as follows. At each step of the process we will provide a veterans’
preference in accordance with the applicable Florida statues and Administrative Code.
Step One. Initial Screening. CB&A will evaluate all resumes and identify the top eight
to ten candidates. Some of these may be in-house candidates or individuals who have
held high level positions in other governments but who have never been the manager.
Often these people simply need the opportunity.
-22-
VI. Approach Methodology
Using a football analogy, Vince Lombardi was an assistant coach with the New York
Giants prior to being hired by the Green Bay Packers. Hence, we do not believe we
should only consider those who have already held the position we are recruiting for.
Step Two. Screening Interview. Our lead recruiter, and possibly other senior
representatives of the firm, will interview each of these candidates. Using the
questionnaire developed in Task Two and our experience as managers and recruiters as
well as our unique ability to assess candidates, we will make a determination of the
candidates’ abilities and whether or not to recommend they go forward in the process.
Once the candidates have passed the initial screening interview, we will ask the each to
prepare a brief written introduction describing who they are and their
background/experience.
Based on screening interviews, we will present the County with at least 10 well qualified
candidates. We will then meet with the County to discuss them and to select six to eight to be
thoroughly researched. We feel six to eight is an ideal number since, as we get to know them
and research their backgrounds, we may need to eliminate or more. Further, the candidates may
be applying elsewhere, find positions and withdraw from our process.
Step Three. Background Investigations. For those that remain in consideration, CB&A
will conduct extensive background checks. Specifically, we will:
Interview References: We tell the candidate with whom we wish to speak.
These include current and former elected officials, the municipal attorney, the
external auditor, staff members, peers, news media representatives, the director of
the local chamber of commerce, community activists, and others who know the
candidate. We also attempt to contact some individuals who are not on the
candidate’s list. Typically we reach eight to ten people and prepare a written
summary of each conversation.
Conduct Background Checks. Through our third party vendor, American
DataBank, we will conduct the following checks: criminal records at the county,
state and national level; civil records at the county and federal level; bankruptcy
and credit. We also verify education and employment for the past 15 years.
Search the Internet and Newspaper Archives. Virtually every local
newspaper has an archive that provides stories about perspective candidates, the
issues they have dealt with, how they resolved them and the results. These
articles also provide insight into the candidate’s relationship with the public and
the elected officials. Of course, not all news sources are unbiased and we
consider that in our evaluation.
Our goal in these checks is to develop a clear picture of each candidate and each of the avenues
we pursue is a piece of the puzzle. We crosscheck sources, search for discrepancies and resolve
them when we find them. When sensitive or potentially embarrassing items are discovered, they
are thoroughly researched. If we conclude the situation is damaging or even questionable, the
candidate will be dropped from further consideration.
-23-
VI. Approach Methodology
Note: We firmly believe that all background work we have outlined above should
be completed early in the process and on the top six to twelve candidates. The
reason is we want you to know that the individuals you will review and select
from are all top performers and do not have anything embarrassing in their pasts
that might come to light after selection. It also means that once you have
selected the top candidate, you can immediately move forward to negotiate a
contract and make an announcement.
Task Five: Finalist Selection and Presentation.
We will evaluate the information we have gathered and present five to eight candidates to the
County. It should be noted that selecting strong candidates is more an art than a science. While
we consider standard ranking factors and the elements of the job, ultimately the most important
factor is who we believe will be a good fit with the elected officials and the community.
Typically 40% of our finalists are women and/or minorities.
For the selected candidates, CB&A will compile the information we have developed into a
written report for each recommended candidate. Specifically, the report will include: the
candidate’s resume, a written introduction to the candidate, the results of our background checks,
his/her reference checks, and our compilation of materials from Internet/newspaper archives.
We will also include some advice on interviewing, a series of questions the elected officials may
wish to ask (as well as some areas that it is not wise to get into) and some logistical information.
A sample candidate report is included as Appendix C. The preceding information will be
forwarded to you electronically.
Task Six: Finalist Selection
Approximately a week after the Commission Members have received the candidate materials,
CB&A will meet with the elected officials to discuss our findings and to confirm the five
finalists. At this point, we will finalize the interview process with the Board.
Task Seven: Notify All Candidates of Their Status
We will notify the selected candidates by telephone and give them the opportunity to ask
additional questions. CB&A will also contact those not selected to advise them of their status.
Part of the notification will include advice concerning the candidates’ resume and/or cover letter
so that, even though they were not selected to go forward, they will have gained something
valuable from participating in the process.
Phase IV: Coordinate the Interview Process and County Administrator Selection
Task Eight: Coordinate the Candidate Assessment Process
Prior to the interviews, we will recommend an assessment process including means to evaluate
the candidates’ communication skills, interpersonal skills, and decision making skills. As part of
the process, we believe the Commission should observe the finalists in a number of settings.
-24-
VI. Approach Methodology
We also recommend you invite the finalists’ spouses so they can spend time in your community
and evaluate the new community. As noted above, we will finalize this process with the Board
to ensure it meets the Board’s needs.
Day #1: The finalists are given a tour of the community and its facilities by a
knowledgeable staff member. Later, senior staff members meet briefly with the
candidates. This provides an opportunity for the finalists to ask questions and the senior
staff to assess them.
Later, that evening, the elected officials and their spouses host a reception for the
candidates and spouses. The purpose is to observe how the finalists respond to a social
situation. Your next County Administrator will, after all, represent your local
government in numerous and a variety of venues. It is thus important to know how the
individual will respond in a social setting. The reception also serves as an ice breaker
whereby the elected officials and the candidates get to know one another informally. It
should be noted that in some cases, confidentiality may preclude a reception.
Day #2: Beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m., each candidate interviews individually
with each elected official for approximately 40 minutes. These meetings provide the
elected officials with an opportunity to assess how the candidates might interact with
them on an individual basis. It is important to know if good chemistry exists. Ultimately
managers succeed and fail based on their interaction with the elected officials and the
one-on-ones are an excellent way to test this interaction.
After lunch, the elected officials as a group, would interview each candidate so that they
can assess the candidates in a formal meeting. Part of the interviews will include a
PowerPoint presentation so the Commission can observe the candidates’ presentational
skills.
Formal Assessment Tools and Tests. Formal assessment tools (such as personality tests and
management in-basket exercises) can be utilized either at this stage or earlier in the process if
you desire. Typically our clients do not utilize them but rather depend on our expertise. Where
such tests have been conducted, they have verified our recommendation in every case.
Nonetheless, we will be happy to recommend tools that can be used should the County wish.
The County, however, must bear the cost of these additional instruments.
Task Nine: Debriefing and Selection
Once the interviews have concluded, CB&A suggests the elected officials adjourn and hold a
meeting a day or two later to select the next County Administrator. Although the selection can
be made the same day as the interviews, this decision is quite important and we recommend you
take a little time to consider what you have seen and heard.
In terms of the final selection, we have a simple methodology we have developed that moves the
elected body quickly and rationally to the desired outcome.
-25-
VI. Approach Methodology
Once the selection has been made, CB&A will notify the finalists of their status. The candidates
are eager to know their status and we feel it is important that they be kept informed. As your
search consultant, they look to us for information and consequently we feel it is incumbent on us
to keep them informed.
Phase V: Negotiation and Continuing Assistance
Task Ten: Notification, Contract Negotiations and Warranty
Should the Commission wish, we will assist in the employment agreement negotiations.
Generally a member of the elected body and the attorney conducts the actual negotiations while
we provide advice and assistance concerning the compensation package and contract. If you
request, we can also take the lead role in the negotiations. We also have a standard contract you
are welcome to use. Your attorney, of course, will prepare the final contract. Since the basic
parameters will have been discussed with the candidates and the candidates have been
thoroughly vetted, we expect a relatively prompt agreement.
Task Eleven: Continuing Assistance
Our work is not done when the contract is executed. We stay in touch with you and your new
County Administrator. Our goal is to be there to assist in resolving any issues that arise before
they become intractable. In fact, at your request, after the selected individual has been on board
for approximately six months, we will conduct a team-building workshop, at no charge, to
resolve any difficulties. We simply feel it is part of our job to assure a successful relationship.
Communications: We will provide biweekly reports about the status of the search, in writing or
by phone, depending upon your preference. At significant milestones we will make the reports
in person.
The County’s Obligations
The County will be responsible for providing the facilities for the interview process, coordinating
lodging for candidates from outside the area, and making arrangements for the evening
reception. The County will also be responsible for reimbursing the candidates for all expenses
associated with their travel, meals and incidentals for the interview weekend.
CB&A also expects the County staff to mail the following information, if it is not available on
the County’s website, to each of the finalists: the current year budget, an organizational chart, the
latest completed audit and management letter, any current strategic and long range plans, a copy
of the County Charter, any job descriptions and other materials defining the role and duties of the
County Administrator, and any evaluations of the organization completed in the last year.
-26-
Suggested Project Schedule
Proposed Project Schedule
The following is the schedule we would suggest and assumes CB&A is selected to perform the
search by January 11th. Of course, we can adjust the schedule to accommodate the County’s
wishes. Further, we can shorten it by approximately two weeks if desired.
Phase I: Needs Assessment / Information Gathering
January 4th: CB&A begins discussions with the Commission Members and any other
suggested stake holders to understand the job and its challenges.
Specifically, the purposes of these interviews will be to: 1) get to know the
elected officials, 2) understand the issues the next County Administrator
will face, 3) understand the elements of the job, 4) develop a description
of the ideal candidate, 5) determine the desired compensation and 6)
finalize the project schedule.
Colin Baenziger begins drafting the recruitment profile for publications
and prospective candidates.
January 8th: Colin Baenziger submits the draft of the full recruitment profile to the
County for its review. Comments will be due back by January 14th.
Phase II: Recruiting
January 18th: CB&A posts the full recruitment profile on its website and submits it to
the appropriate publications. It is also e-mailed to over 7,000 local
government professionals.
February 15th: Closing date for submission of applications.
Phase III: Screening, Reference Checks and Credential Verification
February 16th: CB&A begins screening the candidates
March 18th: CB&A forwards its candidate report and materials to the County
electronically. These will include the candidates’ resumes, a summary of
our interviews with the candidates, the results of our background and
reference checks, and Internet/newspaper archives results.
March 21st: CB&A reviews the finalists and alternates with the County’s officials.
-27
VI. Approach Methodology (continued)
Phase IV: Interview Process Coordination and County Selection
April 5th: County holds reception for the finalists.
April 6th: Commission Members interview candidates one-on-one and as a group.
April 8th: County selects its next Manager.
Phase V: Negotiation, Warranty & Continuing Assistance
Post Selection: If requested by the County, CB&A works with County officials on an
employment agreement. Typically this process takes a week before a
contract is ready to be ratified.
Colin Baenziger will also stay in touch to ensure the elected officials’
relationship with the new County Administrator is a strong one.
-28-
COLIN BAENZIGER & ASSOCIATES – SOME OF OUR PLACEMENTS
2002 – Palm Bay, FL 2003 – Lauderdale Lakes, FL 2004 – Destin, FL
Lee Feldman Anita Fain Taylor Greg Kisela
2004 – Cottonwood Heights, UT 2007 – St. Johns County, FL 2007 – Key Biscayne, FL
Liane Stillman Michael Wanchick Chip Igelsias
2009 – Greensboro, NC 2009 – Roanoke, VA 2009 – North Miami, FL
Rashad Young Chris Morrill Russell Benford
-29-
Appendix A
CB&A Comparable Governmental Searches
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2012
2012 City / County Manager Searches Completed (in chronological order by completion date).
Scheduled Agency Size:
Position Client Population Search Note Placement Number of
Timeframe Employees
1 City Manager Cape Coral, FL 154,300 100 Days (a) John Szerlag 1,300
2 City Manager Hallandale Beach, FL 37,100 106 Days (b) Renee Crichton 449
3 County Administrator Hernando County, FL 172,800 82 Days Leonard Sossamon 1,297
4 City Manager Yakima, WA 91,000 84 Days Anthony O’Rourke 730
5 Village Manager North Palm Beach, FL 12,015 88 Days (c) Ed Green 279
6 City Manager Key West, FL 26,649 84 Days Bob Vitas 456
7 City Manager Panama City Beach, FL 12,018 136 Days (d) Mario Gisbert 250
8 City Manager Sarasota, FL 51,917 141 Days (e) Tom Barwin 599
9 City Manager Fayetteville, NC 208,000 82 Days (f) Ted Voorhees 1,500
10 City Manager Cocoa Beach, FL 11,200 91 Days Robert Majka 234
11 City Manager Fort Pierce, FL 41,590 82 Days Robert Bradshaw 361
12 City Manager Sunrise, FL 4,260 121 Days (g) Alan Cohen 1,203
13 City Manager Melbourne, FL 75,000 92 Days Michael McNees 927
14 City Manager Doraville, GA 8,500 In process 104
(a) The search process was elongated by the holidays. We felt it best not conduct the majority of our recruiting until after the 1 st of the year.
(b) The search process was elongated at the City’s request so the arrival of the new manager would coincide with the prior manager’s departure.
(c) The process was scheduled to take 81 days but one of the Council Members had a scheduling conflict.
(d) The process was scheduled to take 94 days but elongated as the Council Members had numerous scheduling conflicts.
(e) The search process was scheduled to take 82 days. The Commission then involved a Citizens’ Advisory Committee and that added 17 days to the
process. Then it was delay additional 14 days due to a scheduling conflict on the part of the elected officials. Finally it took an additional two weeks to
reach consensus on a candidate.
(f) The process actually took 79 days as the Council reached agreement on a candidate quickly.
(g) The process was elongate by 35 days as the Commission wanted to see additional candidates.
A-1
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2012 (continued)
2012 City / County Manager Searches Completed (sequenced by completion date)
Contact
Client Cost Name Phone Email
1 Cape Coral, FL $20,000 Victoria Batemen Financial Services Director 239-574-0491 vbateman@capecoral.net
2 Hallandale Beach, FL $18,000 Joy Cooper Mayor (954) 457-1318 jcooper@hallandalebeachfl.gov
Administrative Services
3 Hernando County, FL $21,500 Cheryl Marsden (352) 540-6646 CMarsden@co.hernando.fl.us
Director
4 Yakima, WA $0 Micah Cawley Mayor (509) 901-9114 micah_cawley@ci.yakima.wa.us
5 North Palm Beach, FL $18,750 David Norris Mayor (561) 841-3355 dnorris@village-npb.org
Chair, Citizen’s Advisory
6 Key West, FL $20,000 Shirley Freeman (305) 304-1975 shirleyfreemankeywest@gmail.com
Committee
7 Panama City Beach, FL $20,000 Gale Oberst Mayor (850) 235-1541 goberst@pcbgov.com
8 Sarasota, FL $21,500 Susanne Atwell Mayor (941) 954-4115 Suzanne.Atwell@sarasotagov.com
9 Fayetteville, NC $22,500 Jim Arp Mayor Pro Tem (910) 728-2569 JArp@ci.fay.nc.us
10 Cocoa Beach, FL $21,500 Laurie Kalaghchy City Clerk (321) 868-3235 lkalaghchy@cityofcocoabeach.com
11 Fort Pierce, FL $21,500 Ann Satterlee Communications Manager (772) 460-2200 asatterlee@city-ftpierce.com
12 Sunrise, FL $21,500 Kim Kisslan City Attorney (954) 746-3300 KKisslan@sunrisefl.gov
13 Melbourne, FL $21,500 Paul Googleman City Attorney (321) 608-7200 cityattorney@melbourneflorida.org
14 Doraville, GA $21,500 Donna Pittman Mayor (678) 328-9181 donna.pittman@Doravillega.us
A-2
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2011
2011 City / County Manager Searches Completed (in chronological order by completion date).
Scheduled Agency Size:
Search Number of
Position Client Population Timeframe Note Placement Employees
1 County Administrator Clay County, FL 160,000 84 Days Stephanie Kopelousos 1,514
2 City Manager Orange Park, FL 9,100 80 Days Cindy Hall 110
3 City Manager Chamblee, GA 17,000 80 Days (a) Niles Ford 106
4 City Manager North Port, FL 55,800 90 Days Jon Lewis 569
Matanuska-Susitna
5 Borough Manager
Borough, Alaska
88,000 59 Days John Mossey 275
6 City Manager Sunny Isles Beach, FL 17,000 78 Days (b) Alan Cohen 178
7 City Manager Albany, GA 76,000 88 Days (c) James Taylor 863
8 City Manager Portland, ME 65,000 84 Days Michael Rees 1,100
9 Village Manager Pinecrest, FL 19,400 76 Days Yocelyn Gomez 158
10 City Manager Yakima, WA 91,000 88 Days (d) Don Cooper 730
11 County Administrator Polk County, IA 431,000 81 Days David Jones 1,300
12 City Manager Destin, FL 12,300 83 Days (e) Mary Ann Ustick 65
13 City Manager Madeira Beach, FL 4,260 54 Days Shane Crawford 71
14 Village Manager Key Biscayne, FL 12,350 82 Days (f) John Gilbert 115
15 City Manager Tacoma, WA 198,400 84 Days T.C. Broadnax 3,872
(a) At the request of the city, the search was elongated by 21 days.
(b) Mr. Cohen’s contract was terminated in June 2012. Sunny Isles Beach has had five city managers in the last six years.
(c) At the request of the city, the search was elongated by 10 days.
(d) Mr. Cooper left the City on December 31, 2011 to care for his spouse who was recently diagnosed with a very, very serious illness. We repeated the
search at no cost to the City.
(e) At the request of the city, the search was elongated by 7 days.
(f) The Village delayed the search two weeks while finalizing its budget. During the delay, several of the semi-finalists dropped out. We added
candidates, but had to perform their background work. Ultimately the Village selected one of our original candidates but the search took 131 days.
A-3
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2011 (continued)
2011 City / County Manager Searches Completed (sequenced by completion date)
Contact
Client Cost Name Phone Email
1 Clay County, FL $21,500 Travis Cummings Commission Chair (904) 376-5189 Travis.Cummings@co.clay.fl.us
2 Orange Park, FL $21,500 Bob Standifer Mayor (904) 449-6093 bobstandifer@yahoo.com
3 Chamblee, GA $20,000 Marc Johnson Interim Manager / Police Chief (404) 819-9346 chiefmj@chambleepd.com
Administrative Services
4 North Port, FL $21,500 Sherry Brogsdorf
Director (941) 429-7129 sborgsdorf@cityofnorthport.com
Matanuska-Susitna,
5 $24,500 Sonya Conant
AK Human Resources Director (907) 746-7432 Sonya.Conant@matsugov.us
6 Sunny Isles Beach, FL $19,500 Norman Edelcup Mayor (305) 792-1701 NSEdelcup@aol.com
7 Albany, GA $20,000 Nathan Davis City Attorney (229) 431-2805 NDavis@albany.ga.us
Search Chair / City Council
8 Portland, ME $21,500 Cheryl Leeman
Member (207) 774-4308 cl@portlandmaine.gov
9 Pinecrest, FL $21,000 Guido Inguazo Village Clerk (305) 234-2121 inguanzo@pinecrest-fl.gov
10 Yakima, WA $23,500 Micah Cawley Mayor (509) 901-9114 micah_cawley@ci.yakima.wa.us
11 Polk County, IA $21,000 Sue Elliott Assistant County Administrator (515) 286-3128 Sue.Elliott@polkcountyiowa.gov
12 Destin, FL $20,000 Chuck Garcia Human Resources Director (850) 837-4242 cgarcia@cityofdestin.com
13 Madeira Beach, FL $20,000 Ginger Stilton City Clerk (727) 288-3738 gstilton@madeirabeachfl.gov
14 Key Biscayne, FL $19,250 Conchita Alvarez Village Clerk (305) 365-5506 calvarez@keybiscayne.fl.us
15 Tacoma, WA $22,500 Joy St. Germain Human Resources Director (253) 591-2060 jstgermain@ci.tacoma.wa.us
A-4
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2010
2010 City / County Manager Searches Completed (sequenced by completion date)
Scheduled Agency Size:
Search Number of
Position Client Population Timeframe Note Name of Placement Employees
1 City Manager West Park, FL 12,000 84 Days (a) Ajibola Balogum 115
2 City Manager Orange City, FL 10,000 103 Days (b) Jamie Croteau 98
3 City Manager Cape Canaveral, FL 10,200 96 Days (c) David Green 95
4 City Manager Hallandale Beach, FL 39,000 64 Days (d) Mark Antonio 481
5 County Manager Union County, NC 198,600 63 Days Cindy Coto 1,000
6 City Manager Homestead, FL 65,000 64 Days George Gretsas 447
7 City Manager Fife, WA 8,700 99 Days David Zabell 130
(a) The search was elongated by two weeks when the City Council decided to involve an Advisory Committee approximately halfway through the search.
(b) The Christmas and New Years holidays added two weeks to the schedule and the final vote had to be delayed a week when a Council Member was out
of town.
(c) The search was delayed 27 days when the Council added an in-house candidate and asked for a full evaluation of that candidate. In the end one of our
recommended candidates was selected.
(d) The search was halted two weeks prior to completion when the City Commission decided to hire its interim.
A-5
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2009
2010 City / County Manager Searches Completed (sequenced by completion date)
Contact
Client Cost Name Position Phone Email
1 West Park, FL $20,000 Eric Jones Mayor (954) 889-4153 ejones@cityofwestpark.org
2 Orange City, FL $21,500 Harley Strickland Mayor (386) 775-5403 hstrickland@ourorangecity.com
3 Cape Canaveral $21,500 Rocky Randel Mayor (321) 784-5694 rocky-cape@cfl.rr.com
Hallandale Beach,
4 $18,500 Joy Cooper Mayor (954) 457-1318 jcooper@hallandalebeachfl.gov
FL
5 Union County, NC $21,500 Kim Rogers Commissioner (704) 843-7949 kimrogers@co.union.nc.us
6 Homestead, FL $21,000 John Burgess Commissioner (305) 281-6727 JBurgess@cityofhomestead.com
7 Fife, WA $23,500 Loren Combs City Attorney (253) 922-5464 ldc@vsilawgroup.com
A-6
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2009
2009 City / County Manager Searches Completed (sequenced by completion date)
Agency Size:
Search Name of Number of
Position Client Population Timeframe Note Placement Employees
1 Town Manager Dundee, FL 3,700 70 Days Andy Stewart 20
2 City Manager Dania Beach, FL 20,100 62 Days Robert Baldwin 170
3 City Manager Coral Gables, FL 43,000 95 Days (a) Pat Salerno 800
4 City Manager Riviera Beach, FL 37,000 128 Days (c) Ruth Jones 535
5 City Manager West Melbourne, FL 15,000 77 Days Scott Morgan 133
6 County Manager Brevard County, FL 536,000 83 Days Howard Tipton 2,200
7 City Manager Greensboro, NC 259,000 91 Days Rashad Young 3,00
New Smyrna Beach,
8 City Manager 23,000 102 Days (b) Pam Brangaccio 260
FL
9 County Manager Lee County, FL 620,000 81 Days (d) Karen Hawes 3,450
10 City Manager North Miami, FL 62,000 75 Days Russell Benford 560
11 City Manager Roanoke, VA 96,000 86 Days Chris Morrill 1,850
(a) The search was scheduled to take 74 days but the City asked for the interviews to postponed three weeks.
(b) Search was scheduled to take 68 days but due to the City not posting a meeting notice properly and an election, the process was delayed 65
days.
(c) Search was delayed 35 days while the City Commission selected a Citizen's Advisory Committee.
(d) The search was scheduled to take 91 days but the County selected its interim manager 10 days prior to the scheduled selection date.
A-7
City/County Manager Search Assignments in 2009
2009 City / County Manager Searches Completed (sequenced by completion date)
Contact
Client Cost Name Position Phone Email
Linda Riner-
1 Dundee, FL $5,362 Mayor (863) 438-8341 dundee_mizells@verizon.ne
Mizell
2 Dania Beach, FL $20,000 Anne Castro Commissioner (954) 924-6800 acastro@ci.dania-beach.fl.us
3 Coral Gables, FL $19,250 Bill Kerdyk Commissioner (305) 446-2586 wkerdk@coralgables.com
4 Riviera Beach, FL $23,125 Shelby Lowe Council Member (561) 845-3685 slowe@rivierabch.com
5 West Melbourne, FL $17,500 Hal Rose Mayor (321) 768-7518 hrose@westmelbourne.org
6 Brevard County, FL $21,500 Frank Abbate HR Director (321) 633-2010 frank.abbate@brevardcounty.us.
7 Greensboro, NC $17,750 Alice Burkholder HR Consultant (336) 373-7947 Alice.Burkholder@greensboro-nc.gov
8 New Smyrna Beach, FL $19,000 Carol Hargy HR Director (386) 424-2127 chargy@cityofnsb.com
Former Administrative
9 Lee County, FL $19,000 Dinah Lewis (239) 454-9898 Dinahlewis5@hotmail.com
Services Director
10 North Miami, FL $20,000 Andre Pierre Mayor (305) 895-9818 pierreatty@bellsouth.net
11 Roanoke, VA $21,750 Court Rosen Council Member (540) 597-3193 courtrosen@gmail.com
A-8
Appendix B
Searches by
Colin Baenziger & Associate’ Staff
Governmental Search Assignments
Performed by the Staff of Colin Baenziger & Associates
Current Searches
City Manager, Doraville, GA (population 8,500)
Assistant City Manager, Corpus Christi, TX (population 308,000)
Executive Director, South Sound 911 (serves a population of 808,000), Tacoma, WA
Finance Director, Miami, FL (population 408,000)
Fire Chief, Cape Coral, FL, (population 154,300)
Director of Planning, Roanoke, VA (population 96,000)
Economic Development Director, Collier County, FL (population 328,000)
Human Resources Director, West Palm Beach, FL (population 101,000)
Police Chief, St. Augustine Beach, FL (population 6,200)
Treasurer, Miami, FL (population (408,000)
Completed Searches
City Manager
City Manager, Alachua, FL (population 6,200) in 2001
City Manager, Albany, GA (population 75,600) in 2011
City Manager, Bartow, FL (population 16,000) in 2007
Town Manager, Bay Harbor Islands, FL (population 5,200) in 2003 and 2007
Town Manager, Buckeye, AZ (population 32,000) in 2006
City Manager, Cape Canaveral, FL (population 10,200) in 2010
City Manager, Cape Coral, FL (population 154,300) in 2012
City Manager, Cocoa Beach, FL (population 11,200) in 2012
Town Manager, Cutler Bay, FL (population 35,000) in 2006
Town Manager, Dundee, FL (population 3,000) in 2006 and 2009
City Manager, Cape Coral, FL (population 157,500) in 2012
City Manager, Casselberry, FL (population 25,000), in 2005
City Manager, Chamblee, GA (population 17,000) in 2011
City Manager, Cooper City, FL (population 32,000) in 2008
City Manager, Coral Gables (population 43,000) in 2009
City Manager, Cottonwood Heights, UT (population 34,000) in 2004
City Manager, Dania Beach, FL (population 28,000) in 2009
City Manager, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2002
City Manager, Deltona, FL (population 83,000) in 2006 and 2008
City Manager, Destin, FL (population 12,000) in 2003 and 2011
City Manager, Doral, FL (population 24,000), in 2004
B-1
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
City Manager, Eustis, FL (population 18,000) in 2007
City Manager, Fernandina Beach, FL (population 11,000) in 2006
City Manager, Fayetteville, NC (population 208,000) in 2012
City Manager, Fife, WA (population 8,700) in 2010
Town Manager, Fort Myers Beach, FL (population 6,900) in 2006 and 2008
City Manager, Fort Pierce, FL (population 41,900) in 2012
Village Manager, Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL (population 7,500) in 1999 and 2005
City Manager, Gainesville, FL (population 117,000) in 2005
City Manager, Greensboro, NC (population 259,000) in 2009
City Manager, Gulfport, FL (population 12,000) in 2003
City Manager, Hallandale Beach, FL (population 39,000) in 2010 and 2012
City Manager, Holly Hill, FL (population 13,000) in 2008 (partial search)
City Manager, Homestead, FL (population 62,000) in 2010
Town Manager, Juno Beach, FL (population 3,600) in 2005
Town Manager, Town of Jupiter Island, FL (population 654) in 2005
Village Manager, Key Biscayne, FL (population 11,000) in 2007 and 2011
City Manager, Key West, FL (population 24,600) in 2012
Town Manager, Lake Park, FL (population 9,100) in 2001 and 2003
Town Manager, Lantana, FL (population 9,600) in 2000
City Manager, Lakeland, FL (population 87,000) in 2003
City Manager, Lake Worth, FL (population 30,000) in 2003 and 2007
City Manager, Lauderdale Lakes, FL (population 32,000) in 1998 and 2002
City Manager, Madeira Beach, FL (population 12,300) in 2011
Town Manager, Mangonia Park, FL (population 1,400) in 2001
City Manager, Marathon, FL (population 11,500 in 2002 and 2004
City Manager, Marco Island, FL (population 15,000) in 2008
City Manager, Melbourne, FL (population 72,500) in 2002 and 2012
City Manager, Miami Gardens, FL (population 101,000) in 2004
City Manager, Mount Dora, FL (population 12,000) in 2005
City Manager, Naples, FL (population 21,000) in 2003 and 2007
City Manager, New Smyrna Beach, FL, FL (population 23,000) in 2009
City Manager, North Miami, FL (population 62,000) in 2002
Village Manager, North Palm Beach, FL (population 12,500) in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2012
City Manager, North Port, FL (population 55,800) in 2011
City Manager, Ocala, FL (population 52,000) in 2008
City Manager, Orange City, FL (population 10,000) in 2010
City Manager, Orange Park, FL (population 9,100) in 2010
CAO, Orlando, FL (population 197,000) in 2005
City Manager, Oviedo, FL (population 33,000) in 2008
City Manager, Palm Bay, FL (current population 101,000) in 2002
City Manager, Palm Coast, FL (population 71,000) in 2006
Village Manager, Palmetto Bay, FL (population 24,000) in 2003
City Manager, Panama City Beach, FL (population 12,018) in 2012
Village Manager, Pinecrest, FL (population 19,300) in 2011
B-2
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
City Manager, Pompano Beach, FL (population 101,000) in 2007
Town Manager, Ponce Inlet, FL (population 2,500) in 2001
City Manager, Portland, ME (population 65,000) in 2011
City Manager, Riviera Beach, FL (population 37,000) in 2009
City Manager, Roanoke, VA (population 96,000) in 2009
City Manager, Sarasota, FL (population 55,000) in 2012
Town Manager, Sewall’s Point, FL (population 2,000) in 2006
City Manager, St. Pete Beach, FL (population 10,000) in 2001
City Manager, Stuart, FL (population 17,000) in 2006
City Manager, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (population 17,000) in 2006 and 2011
City Manager, Sunrise, FL (population 84,400) in 2012
City Manager, Tacoma, WA (population 198,400) in 2011
City Administrator, Tavares, FL (population 11,000) in 2006
City Manager, Treasure Island, FL (population 7,500) in 2004
City Manager, West Melbourne, FL (population 15,000) in 2009
City Manager, West Park, FL (population 12,000) in 2005 and 2010
City Manager, Woodstock, GA (population 21,000) in 2008
City Manager, Yakima, WA (population 91,000) in 2011 and 2012
County Manager - Completed Searches
County Manager, Baker County, FL (population 27,000) in 2006
County Administrator, Bay County, FL (population 158,000) in 2005
County Manager, Brevard County, FL (population 536,000) in 2009
County Administrator, Broward County, FL (population 1,800,000) in 2006
County Administrator, Clay County, FL (population 160,000) in 2005 and 2011
County Administrator, DeSoto County, FL (population 34,000) in 2005
County Manager, Flagler County, FL (population (83,000) in 2007
County Administrator, Hernando County, FL (population 172,800) in 2012
County Administrator, Highlands County, FL (population 98,000) in 2008
County Manager, Lowndes County, GA (population 92,000) in 2001
County Administrator, Martin County, FL (population 140,000) in 2005
Borough Manager, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK (population 85,000) in 2011
County Administrator, Monroe County, FL (population 80,000) in 2004
County Administrator, Nassau County, FL (population 60,000) in 2004
County Administrator, Okeechobee County, (population 39,000) in 2008
County Manager, Osceola County, FL (population 235,000) in 2003 and 2007
County Administrator, Polk County, IA (population 400,000) in 2007 and 2011
County Manager, Seminole County, FL (population 410,000) in 2006
County Administrator, St. Johns County, FL (population 162,000) in 2007
County Administrator, Sumter County, FL (population 70,000) in 2005
County Manager, Union County, NC (population 198,600) in 2010
B-3
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
Completed Searches – Assistant/Deputy Managers
Assistant County Administrator for Development and Infrastructure, Hillsborough County, FL
(population 1,000,055) in 2006
Assistant County Administrator for Human Services, Hillsborough County, FL (population
1,000,055) in 2004
Assistant Town Manager, Jupiter Island, FL (population 654) in 2010
Assistant Village Manager, Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL (population 7,500) in 1998
Assistant to the City Manager, Lakeland, FL (population 87,000) in 2004
Assistant City Manager, Lake Worth, FL (population 30,000) in 2004
Assistant County Administrator, Martin County, FL (population 140,000) in 2006
Assistant City Manager, Tamarac, FL (population 55,500) in 2001
Assistant City Manager, West Palm Beach, FL (population 89,000) in 2004
Deputy City Manager, Durham, NC (population 220,000) in 2009
Deputy County Administrator, Hillsborough County, FL (population 1,000,055) in 2004
Deputy County Manager, Polk County, FL (population 500,000) in 2006
Completed Searches – City Attorneys
City Attorney, Roanoke, VA (population 96,000) in 2012
City Attorney, West Melbourne, FL (population 15,000) in 2008
Completed Searches – Community Development
Assistant Director of Community Development, Largo, FL (population 74,000) in 2004 and 2005
Community Development Director, Miami, FL (population 362,000) in 2008
Community Development Director, Safety Harbor, FL (population 18,000) in 2006
Community Development Director, Tamarac, FL (population 55,500) in 2007
Development Services Director, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2005
Director of Capital Projects, New Orleans, LA (population 323,000) in 2008
General Manager, North Sarasota Redevelopment District, Sarasota (population 53,000) in 2008
Growth Management Director, St. Lucie County, FL (population 261,000) in 2005
Growth Management Manager, Wellington, FL (population 55,000) in 2009
Housing and Community Development Director, West Palm Beach, FL (pop. 102,000) in 2007
Planning Administrator, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2007
Planning Department Director, Osceola County, FL (population 235,000) in 2005
Completed Searches – Economic Development / Redevelopment
Economic Development Director, Charlotte County, FL (population 170,000) in 2007
Assistant City Manager for Community Building, Durham, NC (population 220,000) in 2009
B-4
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
Economic Development Director, Roanoke, VA (population 96,000) in 2012
Director, Office of Economic & Workforce Development, Durham, NC (pop. 220,000), 2009
Economic Development Director, Loudoun County, VA (population 321,000) in 2010
Redevelopment Director, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2007
Economic Development Director, St. Johns County, FL (population 162,000) in 2011
Completed Searches – Economic Development / Redevelopment (continued)
Executive Director, Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, GA (serving a population
92,000+) in 2006 and 2011
Executive Director, Technological Research and Development Authority, FL (serving a
statewide population) in 2006
Completed Searches – Engineers
Assistant City Engineer, Melbourne, FL (population 75,000) in 2008
County Engineer, Polk County, FL (population 500,000) in 2006
Deputy County Engineer, Martin County, FL (population 140,000) in 2006
City Engineer, Gulfport, MS (population 90,000) in 2008
City Engineer, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (population 17,000) in 2006
Engineering Manager, Sumter County, FL (population 70,000) in 2005
Staff Engineer, Wellington, FL (population 55,000) in 2009
Completed Searches – Facilities Management
Centroplex Director, Orlando, FL (population 197,000) in 2004
Lakeland Center Director, Lakeland, FL (population 87,000) in 2004
Completed Searches – Finance
Budget and Financial Services Director, Polk County, FL (population 500,000) in 2006
Budget Director, St. Petersburg, FL (population 248,000) in 2009
Controller, City of Orlando, FL (population 197,000) in 2007
Chief Financial Officer, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, FL (population 1,000,055) in 2005
Chief Financial Officer, City of Orlando, FL (population 87,000) in 2005
Deputy Director of Management, Budget and Accounting, Orlando, FL (pop. 197,000) in 2004
Finance Director, Altus, OK (population 19,800) (background check) in 2012
Finance Director, Daytona Beach, FL (population 31,860) in 2012
Finance Director, Fort Walton Beach, FL (population 20,000) in 2006
Finance Director, Lauderdale Lakes (population 32,000) in 1998
Finance Director, Oregon City, OR (31,860) in 2012
B-5
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
Finance Director, St. Petersburg, FL (population 248,000) in 2010
Finance Director, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (population 17,000) in 2010
Finance Director, Surfside, FL (population 5,700) in 2012
Finance Director, Tamarac, FL (population 55,500) in 2005 and 2009
Finance Director, West Palm Beach, FL (population 102,000) in 2007
Manager, Office of Management and Budget, Lake Worth, FL (population 37,000) in 2010
Director, Management and Financial Services, Loudoun County, VA (population 312,000)
Completed Searches – Housing/Building
Assistant to the County Administrator – Affordable Housing, Broward County, FL (population
1,700,000) in 2004
Building Official, Jupiter Island, FL (population 580) in 2005 and 2010
Building Official, Miami Beach, FL (population 91,000) in 2005
Building Department Director, Osceola County, FL (population 235,000) in 2005
Assistant to the County Administrator – Affordable Housing, Broward County, FL (population
1,700,000) in 2004
Building Official, Jupiter Island, FL (population 580) in 2005 and 2011
Building Official, Miami Beach, FL (population 91,000) in 2005
Building Department Director, Osceola County, FL (population 235,000) in 2005
Building Official, Sewall’s Point, FL (population 2,000) in 2006
Building Official, Tamarac (population 55,000) in 2008
Housing and Community Development Director, West Palm Beach, FL (pop. 102,000), 2007
Completed Searches – Human Resources
Human Resources Director, Boca Raton, FL (population 84,000) in 2006
Director of Personnel, Fulton County, GA (population 992,000) in 2010
Human Resources Office, Loudoun County, VA (population 312,000) in 2011
Human Resources Administrator, Martin County, FL (population 140,000) in 2007
Personnel Director, North Miami, FL (population 56,000) in 2001
Human Resources Director, Osceola County, FL (population 235,000) in 2006
Human Resources Director, City of Sarasota, FL (population 55,000) in 2002
Personnel Director, Vero Beach, FL (population 17,900) in 2003
Completed Searches – Human Services
Assistant County Administrator for Human Services, Hillsborough County, FL (population
1,000,055) in 2004
Director, Health and Human Services, St. Johns County, FL (population 162,000) in 2010
Executive Director, Juvenile Welfare Board, Pinellas County, FL (population 950,000) in 2005
B-6
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
Completed Searches – Information Technology
Information Technology Director, Lakeland, FL (population 87,000) in 2004
Information Services Director, Lauderdale Lakes, FL (population 32,000) in 1998
Information Services Director, Palm Beach County Tax Collector (population 1,300,000) in 2012
(partial search)
Completed Searches – Parks/Recreation/Libraries
Director, Parks, Recreation, & Conservation, Hillsborough County, FL (pop. 1,000,055) in 2004
District Manager, Holiday Park Recreation District (population 1,400) in 2007
Library Services Director, St. Johns County, FL (population 162,000) in 2007
Director, Parks and Recreation, West Palm Beach, FL in 2006
Completed Searches – Public Safety
Fire Chief, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2006
Fire Chief, Lauderdale Lakes, FL (population 32,000) in 1999
Fire Chief, West Palm Beach, FL (population 89,000) in 2005
Police Chief, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2006
Police Chief, Golden Beach, FL (population 355) in 2011 (partial search)
Police Chief, Lauderhill, FL (population 66,900) in 2011 (partial search)
Police Chief, Melbourne, FL (population 76,000) in 2011 (partial search)
Police Chief, Sewall’s Point, FL (population 2,000) in 2007
Police Chief, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (population 17000) in 2010
Completed Searches – Public Works
Public Works Director / Capital Projects Manager / City Engineer, Sunny Isles Beach, FL
(population 17,000) in 2007
Assistant Public Works Director, Sunny Isles Beach, FL (population 17,000) in 2008
Public Works Director, Fort Lauderdale, FL (population 183,000) in 2004
Executive Director, Environment and Infrastructure, Pinellas County, FL (population 917,000)
in 2012
Public Works Director, Polk County, FL (population 500,000) in 2005
Public Works Director, Chandler, AZ (population 250,000) in 2007
Public Works Director, Tamarac, FL (population 55,500) in 2003
Solid Waste Director, Hillsborough County, FL (population 1,000,055) in 2005
Vice President, Public Works & Operations, Ocean Reef Community Association (pop. 2,000),
Key Largo, FL, in 2001
B-7
Governmental Search Assignments (continued)
Completed Searches – Transportation
Chief Financial Officer, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, FL (population 1,000,055) in 2005
Director of Traffic Engineering, Polk County, FL (population 500,000) in 2002
Executive Director, Lakeland Area Mass Transit District, FL (population 87,000) in 2005
Executive Director, Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority, FL (population
1,000,055) in 2007
Completed Searches – Utilities
Environmental Services Director, Largo, FL (population 74,000) in 2006
Executive Director, Des Moines (IA) Water Works (serves a population of over 500,000) in 2012
Executive Director, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Key West, FL (pop. 90,000) in 2003
Executive Director, Escambia County Utilities Authority, FL (90,000 customers) in 2002
Executive Director, Onslow Water & Sewer Authority (Jacksonville, NC) (pop. 160,000) in 2009
General Manager/CEO, Orlando Utilities Commission, FL (190,000 customers) in 2004
General Manager, Tampa Bay Water (population served 2,400,000) in 2008
Utilities Director, Charlotte County, FL (population 170,000) in 2007
Utilities Director, Daytona Beach, FL (population 65,000) in 2004
Utilities Director, Lake Worth, FL (population 30,000) in 2009
Utilities Director, Palm Bay, FL (population 101,000) in 2005
Executive Director, Environment and Infrastructure, Pinellas County, FL (population 917,000)
in 2012
Utilities Director, Polk County, FL (population 500,000) in 2004
Water (Wastewater) Resources Director, St. Petersburg, FL (population 248,000) in 2008
Watershed Management (Water and Wastewater) Director, DeKalb County, GA (population
691,900) in 2011
Completed Searches – Work Force Management
Executive Director, South Florida Workforce, FL (service area pop. of 3,000,000+) in 2005
Director, Office of Economic & Workforce Development, Durham, NC (pop. on 220,000), 2009
Completed Searches – Other
City Clerk, Lauderdale Lakes (population 32,000) in 1998
Community Development District Manager, Severn Trent, FL in 2005
Director, Registrations and Elections, Fulton County, GA (population 992,000) in 2009
Environmental Resources Director, St. Lucie County, FL (population 261,000) in 2009
Executive Director, Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority (population 15,000) in 2011
Executive Director, Northern Palm Beach Improvement District, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
(population 200,000) in 2003
General Manager, Sun ‘n Lake Improvement District, FL (population 7,500) in 2002 and 2005
General Manager, Holiday Park Recreation District, FL (population 4,500) in 2007
Special Projects Coordinator, Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL (population 7,500) in 1998
B-8
Appendix C
Sample Brochure:
County Administrator - Hernando County
C-1
C-2
C-3
C-4
C-5
C-6
C-7
C-8
Appendix D
Sample Candidate Report
Sample Candidate Report
[Note: The following materials are provided with the permission of the candidate.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
RESUME 1
CB&A INTERVIEW 5
BACKGROUND CHECKS 11
REFERENCE NOTES 13
INTERNET SEARCH 28
Christopher Morrill
Resume
-1-
-2-
-3-
Christopher Morrill
CB&A Interview
-4-
Christopher Morrill
Education
Master of Public Administration, University of North Carolina
Bachelor of Arts, College of the Holy Cross
Experience
Assistant City Manager, City of Savannah, GA 2001 – Present
Senior Municipal Finance Advisor, Research Triangle Institute, RTP, NC 1999 – 2001
Research and Budget Director, City of Savannah, GA 1994 – 1999
Peace Corps Volunteer, Ukraine 1992 – 1994
City of Savannah, GA 1988 - 1992
Research and Budget Director (two years) and Senior Management
Analyst (two years)
Senior Budget Analyst, Catawba County, NC 1986 – 1988
Downtown Project Manager, Lynn, MA 1984 – 1985
Background
The population of Savannah is 143,000 people. The City has 2,600 employees and Mr. Morrill
supervises 220. The total budget is $280 million while the general fund component is $180
million. The three most important issues that face Savannah:
Financial impact of the recession. Revenues have declined yet the demand for services
remains high;
Citizen engagement. Citizen participation in local government, and indeed awareness of
what it is doing, has declined. Governments need to find new ways to engage and inform
their residents; and
Balancing the economic development with environmental goals while maintaining a high
quality of life.
Interview Comments
Mr. Morrill has been an Assistant City Manager for eight years in Savannah, GA. Although he
feels no need to leave his position, he sees the City Manager position in Roanoke as an
opportunity that he cannot pass up. Roanoke is a progressive community and has some of the
same challenges Savannah has. He notes that over the past 20 years, Savannah has made many
significant changes for the better and he wants to bring not just his skills, but what he has
learned, to Roanoke. He feels he can make a difference and help Roanoke become not just a
better city but a better community. From a personal point of view, it is also one of few cities Mr.
Morrill would consider moving to and living in. He enjoys the mountains and would be closer to
family.
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Christopher Morrill
On a day to day basis, Mr. Morrill’s management style is to promote collaboration. Teamwork
and unity is important. He empowers his staff to accomplish their goals but provides the
guidance to be successful. He is not a micromanager but gives his staff both the responsibility to
get the job done but also the authority. Accountability is important as well. In times of crisis,
Mr. Morrill will take full command and make the decisions that are necessary. He has a good
understanding of when it is appropriate to guide and when he must lead.
Employees who have worked with Mr. Morrill would say he is enjoyable to work with and is a
good mentor. He guides his staff and helps them develop. As they set priorities together, he is
there to give them the resources and support they need. They would also note that it is not just
business. He has a good sense of humor and attempts to make the workplace pleasant. Finally,
he feels it is important to celebrate their successes.
The elected officials would say Mr. Morrill is a strong leader. He is proactive, assesses problems
quickly and resolves them. He is a good manager and a team player. With the downturn of the
economy, Mr. Morrill has taken more of a leadership role. Everyone recognizes that finance is
one of his specialties and they tend to lean towards him for advice. He closely monitors the
budget and keeps the elected officials well informed of the City’s financial status.
Mr. Morrill’s greatest strength is in financial planning. He has a strong finance background and
is well experienced with budgets. In fact, he served as a resident advisor to the National
Treasury of South Africa for about two years. He knows how to build a strong management and
financial team. He enjoys learning, tackling new problems and resolving issues. He listens to
people so he can understand their issues and learn from them. He is patient and sympathetic.
In terms of weakness, Mr. Morrill recognizes he focuses more on the big picture than the details.
To combat this, he surrounds himself with good people who are detail oriented. By doing this,
they help him see the details. It also allows him the freedom to pursue the projects and efforts
that he and the City Manager feel will lead to improving Savannah.
Mr. Morrill’s biggest achievement has been a recent budgeting change in Savannah. Specifically
he introduced a new budgeting philosophy called Budgeting for Outcomes to the staff and the
City County. He had learned about the approach at a government finance conference in 2007
and thought it would be particularly appropriate in difficult financial times. The idea is to
allocate funding to those services that are a priority to the residents instead of focusing on cuts in
each department. As such, the City focuses on funding the services with the greatest positive
outcomes. It took some effort but he has now educated the staff and Council. Everyone has
embraced the idea and last January the Council set the City’s seven priorities for the next year.
Then teams were created to address the priority teams. In all it involved 70 employees from
different departments serving on seven teams. These teams have researched best practices from
across the nation and followed examples in Washington and Iowa where the same philosophy
has been implemented. They are ninety percent the way through the conversion. The result has
been that they have found ways to maintain the core services and reduce costs. The effort has
also lead to an increased level of collaboration within the government and in sharing services.
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Christopher Morrill
The teams will make a presentation to the Council on November 30th where they will report their
progress.
When asked about mistakes, Mr. Morrill spoke of an area just outside of downtown Savannah
that was to be developed as a public park and for some other uses. It was a great project that
would have had a very positive impact on the neighborhoods in the area. However, the City did
not do the leg work upfront to keep the neighborhoods apprised of the nature of the project nor
the benefits that would result from the project. As a result, the residents fought the project and it
was cancelled. He learned the importance of involving the community early on in a project so
they are informed, supportive and can provide input to make the project better. The City missed
an opportunity to develop a great area because it assumed the community would support it. The
central lesson was, “Do not assume the community members will see and embrace the vision of a
project if you do not spend the time educating them.”
As the City has changed to Budgeting for Outcomes, it has provided a new way of measuring the
performance of the organization. They are able to compare their outcome with other cities across
America. Funding is provided to those services that have had clear outcomes of meeting
priorities. Mr. Morrill still monitors the individual performance of each employee. At the year’s
beginning, he discusses their strengths and weaknesses with them and makes a plan to
accomplish their goals for the year. Their progress is checked periodically and another formal
meeting is conducted at midyear.
When asked about terminating employment, Mr. Morrill noted he has terminated the
employment of several employees during his career. He tries to work with those who have
performance issues through coaching and mentoring. Sometimes no improvements can be made.
The person is simply in the wrong job from the point of view of skills or personality. It is hard to
let people go under these circumstances but it has to be done. Ideally you can find a position in
the organization that does suit the individual but that is not always a possibility. Those
employees who misuse their privileges or break the law are very easy to let go. On one occasion
he had to fire an individual in the parks department who was misusing public funds.
Mr. Morrill sees the challenges facing the next Roanoke City Manager as:
Encouraging economic development that is a good fit with the community;
Finding ways to help the poor climb out of poverty rate;
Working with the school board to improve the City’s schools;
Working with the community to improve the neighborhoods; and
Addressing code enforcement issues.
If given the opportunity to serve as the next Roanoke City Manager, Mr. Morrill would spend his
first six months doing the following:
Examining City’s issues;
Learning the history of the City and its neighborhoods;
Listening to the Council Members’ goals and vision;
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Christopher Morrill
Familiarizing himself with staff’s strengths and weaknesses; and
Assessing the City’s financial position. Getting a proposed budget together quickly for
the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year will be a priority.
Mr. Morrill feels the new manager must be out in the community and transparent if he/she is to
earn the trust of the community. When things are wrong, one must acknowledge that. They also
need to be fixed without, to the extent possible, assigning blame. Citizens respect honesty.
Also, good citizen engagement helps the residents feel they have a voice in the community. Mr.
Morrill mentioned a citizens’ academy that Savannah offered. It was an eight week course that
focused on the different departments of the city government. He felt after this program the
citizens had a better understanding and respect for the city government. They could see all the
work that went into maintaining the City and the service the staff rendered in their behalf.
Mr. Morrill has a good relationship with the media. In his current position as Assistant City
Manager, he is not in the media much. However, when needed, he has stepped in for the City
Manager. He has worked with both television and print. He understands the media play an
important role. He is honest and straightforward with his answers.
In his leisure time, Mr. Morrill enjoys being with his family, reading, biking, hiking and
swimming. On occasion he has been a judge at swim meets.
Reason for Wanting to Leave Current Position:
Mr. Morrill is happy where he is but would like the opportunity to become a City Manager. He
is in the peak years of his career and is ready to lead an organization. He has had the opportunity
to work for and be mentored by an outstanding City Manager. He has also participated in the
rebirth of Savannah. He wants to put what he has learned into practice in Roanoke. He just feels
it is a great community, a community that has not realized its potential and a community he
wants to live and work in.
Most Recent Base Salary
$150,000 base salary
Adjectives or phrases Mr. Morrill used to describe himself:
Enjoys working with people,
Visionary,
Progressive,
Good sense of humor,
Values relationships, and
Builds consensus.
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Christopher Morrill
Interviewer’s Impressions
Energetic, experienced, competent, congenial, and straightforward. Intelligent and creative with
a good sense of humor. Has an easy laugh and ready to be a City Manager.
Interviewed by:
Tiffany Gremmert
Colin Baenziger & Associates
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Christopher Morrill
Background Checks
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Background Check Summary for
Christopher P. Morrill
Criminal Records Checks:
Nationwide Criminal Records Search No Records Found
County
Chatham County, GA No Records Found
Durham County, NC No Records Found
State
Georgia No Records Found
North Carolina No Records Found
Civil Records Checks:
County
Chatham County, GA No Records Found
Durham County, NC No Records Found
Federal
Georgia No Records Found
North Carolina No Records Found
Motor Vehicle
Georgia No Records Found
Credit Excellent
Bankruptcy No Records Found
Education Confirmed
Employment Confirmed
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Christopher Morrill
Reference Notes
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Michael Brown, City Manager, City of Savannah, GA, (912) 658-3523
Mr. Brown hired Mr. Morrill in 1988. He recognized his strong skill set and wanted him to be a
part of his management team. When Mr. Morrill went overseas to perform international
services, Mr. Brown thought so highly of him that he held positions open for him. He simply
wanted him back and on his team.
Mr. Morrill is a very skilled manager and a remarkable person. He combines precise analytical
skills with an upbeat and optimistic personality. He is diplomatic with those he serves and
considerate to their wants and needs. Mr. Morrill’s background makes him a strong candidate.
He was in the Peace Corp for two years in Ukraine. He also spent time in Northern Ireland,
Peru, and South Africa with the Kellogg National Leadership Program. He wrote a local
government finance law for South Africa cities and modeled if after what local governments do
in the United States.
Mr. Morrill has led many redevelopment projects in Savannah. The redevelopment of Ellis
Square is a recent one and involved redeveloping one of Savannah’s squares that was first
established in the 1700’s. At some point, the square had been turned into a parking lot. Mr.
Morrill noted that the lease was expiring and suggested the City redevelop the area as
community square. He took the lead on the project and coordinated with developers and city
groups. He also oversaw the financing of the project. The new community square is a huge
success and is surrounded by shops and restaurants, and includes an underground parking
structure.
Another project Mr. Morrill headed was Savannah River Landing, a fifty-four acre undeveloped
tract adjacent to the historic downtown. Mr. Morrill coordinated with the developers to include
an expansion of the river walk, retail stores, two hotels, single family homes, restaurants, and
office buildings. He was the manager of the public part of the project. He forecast the cost of
the necessary infrastructure, worked with the developers, rallied the support of the County and
schools, and also sold the tax allocation district proposal to the voters. The project is underway
and is much anticipated by the community.
Mr. Morrill listens well and is able to identify the essence of what someone is trying to say. He
is a good communicator. He also is empathetic and patient. Often the City Council prefers to
speak with him rather than the City Manager. He is easier to talk to and knows how to hold his
ground. He is a good public speaker. He took a private sector speaker training course that
monitored, criticized and improved his speaking skills. He is comfortable presenting.
Mr. Brown, as the City Manager, spends most of his time working with the Council to keep their
interests on track. They are often difficult and demanding. He is not able to do much of what he
used to do as City Manager. The Metro Police Department also demands much of his time and
attention. As a result, he has turned over much of the day-to-day management of the City to Mr.
Morrill. That includes projects, budgeting, pension plan changes, and policy initiatives.
Although, Mr. Morrill has not officially held the title of City Manager, in reality he has had more
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
experience in urban city management than some City Managers in other cities. He has dealt with
a high poverty rate, a large area of public housing, and many inner city problems.
Mr. Morrill is an ICMA (International City/County Management Association) Credentialed
Manager. Through the ICMA he worked with an area in Indonesia to develop their tourism and
the historical preservation of the Sultan’s Water Palace Complex. This effort was to preserve
and restore 50 acres of historic land. He helped the City get grant funding to restore the area. He
also helped them write the first historical preservation ordinance. Along with the restoration of
the Water Palace, a beautiful shopping corridor was created. Working with the largely Muslim
country of Indonesia has educated Mr. Morrill. He was able to associate with the U.S.
Ambassador to Indonesia and experience governmental processes in another country.
Again, even though Mr. Morrill does not hold the official title of City Manager, he has the
experience and skill set to take this position. Mr. Brown highly recommended him although it
would be a huge loss to him personally and to Savannah to have Mr. Morrill leave.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Strong family man,
Diplomatic,
Considerate,
Articulate,
Humble,
Well traveled,
Bright, and
Optimistic.
Strengths: Analytical skills, financial ability and diverse experience.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Lise Sundrla – Executive Director, Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, Savannah,
GA – (912) 651-6973
Ms. Sundrla has known Mr. Morrill since 2001. They have worked as colleagues. The
Savannah Development and Renewal Authority is not a city department. As a separate entity
they have coordinated economic development in the downtown area of Savannah.
Mr. Morrill has been a critical component for much of the redevelopment in downtown
Savannah. He has engaged the City and partnered with other agencies. He was integral to the
planning efforts of Ellis Square. This area had been a historical square but was developed into a
parking lot. He spent several years cobbling together the funding to restore the area to its
original purpose of a public space. An underground parking lot was constructed along with
several shops, restaurants and businesses. He was a guide and a mentor to the developers and to
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
the Renewal Authority on several issues and concerns regarding the project. He also spent many
hours working with the Council to gain its support.
Mr. Morrill created strategic goals to focus on revitalizing the Martin Luther King corridor, once
a premier historical African American neighborhood bustling with life. The placement of an
overpass on I-16 stunted the growth of the area and limited the access to other areas. He has
pressed for the overpass to be removed. By doing so, our lost street connections and nine acres
of developable land would be reclaimed. He has negotiated local option sales tax and capital
improvement dollars to fund the project. He coordinated the efforts of the City, the Renewal
Authority and other private entities to stimulate the integral corridor. Already, a full size grocery
store has opened in the area.
Another major project Mr. Morrill has orchestrated was Savannah Landing located in eastern
downtown Savannah. The area has been underdeveloped since 1909. He secured the funds and
involved the necessary agencies. The development links and compliments the historic
downtown area. It also opens up connections to six lost streets and expanded the river walk
2,000 feet. Public squares were donated back to the City. Mr. Morrill petitioned for the first tax
allocation to be used to support the economic development of the area.
Oddly, when it is time to make a presentation to the City Council, the person who is best is Mr.
Morrill. They often try to do things that are not in the best interest of the City. They rely on Mr.
Morrill to give them honest criticism and advice. He can speak on their level.
Ms. Sundrla trusts Mr. Morrill implicitly, which she considers a bold statement. She has
approached him with personal and political issues. He has offered guidance and solutions to
support her efforts. He is gifted with people. He respects others and in turn is well respected.
He has excellent communication skills and is an attentive listener.
Mr. Morrill would be a fine choice for City Manager. He is well qualified. He has the skills and
the character to lead.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Reliable partner,
Thorough planner,
Engaging,
Mentor,
Respected, and
Gifted with people.
Strengths: Team building, vision, people skills, and communication skills.
Weaknesses: None identified.
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Lester B. Johnson III – Assistant City Attorney, City of Savannah, GA – (912) 238-5100
Mr. Johnson has known Mr. Morrill since 2001. Mr. Morrill has a fine personality and a calm
demeanor. He has a good rapport with the citizens of Savannah. He also has a good working
relationship with his staff and with the elected officials.
Mr. Morrill oversees the financial and budget concerns. He keeps a meticulous budget. One of
the results is that the City has not needed to use any of its reserves since Mr. Morrill became the
Assistant City Manager. As another of his responsibilities, he oversees the Recorder’s Court.
He makes sure the Court is making more money than the operating budget. He has worked
closely with Mr. Johnson to find ways for the Court and the Judge to be more efficient.
Mr. Morrill also oversees all problems with ordinance violations. One of the trickier situations
involved the some wealthy and very powerful residents of an historic district and the Savannah
College of Art and Design. The neighbors were not happy about having the School in their
neighborhood and complained it violated the parking ordinance. The ordinance required that a
certain number of off street parking spaces per building were required if the building was to be
used and the school did not have enough spaces. Mr. Morrill investigated every building in the
area and the school was not the only building without enough parking spaces. To preserve the
historic district, satellite parking lots were developed. Students were shuttled from them to the
school buildings. Mr. Morrill communicated frequently with the neighbors and calmed their
concerns. He demonstrated to them the financial importance the school to the City and how it
brought millions of dollars to the community every year. He showed them that it was vital that
they worked together. He was a good mediator between these two strong willed entities and was
able to find a reasonable compromise.
Mr. Morrill is well respected by the public. He often speaks in town meetings regarding the
financial state of projects. A major project was underway to solve the City’s drainage issues. He
spoke often in the town meetings explaining the project’s finances. Many citizens were
concerned the funds would run out before it was completed. Mr. Morrill explained in clear terms
the financial condition of the project and the status of the contingency funds. He responded well
to the large crowd, spoke in simple terms and reassured them that the money was there to
complete the effort.
Mr. Morrill is designated to take over the City Manager’s position when he is absent. He is also
on call for every Council meeting to answer any questions or provide any financial information.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Strong family man,
Competent individual,
Calm demeanor,
Good rapport with others,
Easy personality, and
Responsible.
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Strengths: Financial skills, problem solving skills, and building relationships.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Kenneth Sadler – Former Alderman, City of Savannah, GA (912) 661-0484
Mr. Sadler has known Mr. Morrill since 2000. Mr. Sadler was an Alderman for four years.
Mr. Morrill is bright and well educated. Even though finance had been his primary background,
he has developed skills in other fields through his position as Assistant City Manager. He is a
good leader and provides strength to his staff. Many of them lean on his expertise and ask for his
advice. He mentors his staff and helps them grow.
Mr. Morrill’s primary skills are in finance and planning. He knows how to maintain the long
term financial health of the City and has helped it weather the financial downturn. He did so
through sound financial practices and thorough planning. He actually anticipated the financial
problems and adequately prepared the City for them. He understands how to spend money
responsibly and which services are capable of producing revenue.
Mr. Morrill has a good relationship with each member of Council. He is responsive to their
requests. They are willing to delegate to him because he follows up on projects and keeps them
informed. He is straightforward and easy to talk to. Frequently Mr. Morrill has been easier to
contact and work with than the City Manager.
Mr. Morrill focuses on people. Whether it is a Councilman or a citizen of the community, he
will take time to listen to the issues they raise and look for a solution. He has an optimistic
demeanor that puts people at ease. He has a good grasp of city issues and a sensitivity to their
importance.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Smart,
Capable,
Good planner,
Strong financial background,
Understands communities, and
Relates well with people.
Strengths: Organization skills and financial background.
Weaknesses: None identified
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Carol Bell – Central Services Director, City of Savannah, GA (912) 651-6401
Ms. Bell has known Mr. Morrill since 1994. They were colleagues when he was Budget
Director and she now reports directly to him in his position as the Assistant City Manager.
Mr. Morrill is a dedicated public servant. He focuses on serving the people and is often a voice
for the underprivileged. He volunteers his time to support agencies which help needy citizens.
The City has benefited from his strong financial background. He has improved the financial
operations by utilizing his analytical skills and thinking beyond the norm. Mr. Morrill is a
member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), has written finance articles
and taught classes for the Association.
Mr. Morrill is people oriented. He develops good relationships with entities outside the city
government. He makes time to speak with residents and is well respected by them. He is an
excellent communicator who can take technically complex issues and easily explain them to the
common citizen.
Mr. Morrill has been a fantastic liaison between the City and the County helping facilitate the
merger of police departments. Both agencies had their own police departments and had been
policing much of the same territory which was not very cost efficient. In 2003, it was decided to
formally merge the departments within a year. The merger was complex and Mr. Morrill was a
major factor in its success. He focused on the commonalities and the benefits this partnership
would provide for the citizens. The two separate departments combined to become the
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police in 2005.
Mr. Morrill is team oriented. He has been able to break down barriers, form unlikely
partnerships and is creative. An example is a budgeting strategy he introduced to the City called
Budgeting for Outcomes. Each department’s budget is evaluated and projections are made based
on priorities and results. Priorities were established by Council and Mr. Morrill then created
seven results teams. Each team consisted of a broad base of global thinkers along with an expert
member. For instance, the public safety team might have a member of the Fire Department or
Police Department as an expert member. However, the team could also have members from
Parks and Recreation, or Social Services. The result has been to bring the departments and their
staff members together to accomplish the common goal of cutting costs and carrying out the
elected officials’ goals.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Analytical,
Encouraging,
An advocate for the underprivileged,
Involved,
Experienced, and
Knowledgeable.
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Strengths: Dedication to serving the public. Strong background and experience in local
government. Excellent people skills.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Jim Burgess - Mayor, City of Social Circle, GA (770) 464-3366
Mr. Burgess has known Mr. Morrill since 1996. He works as a lobbyist for the City of Savannah
and is also the Mayor of a small town in Georgia.
As Mr. Burgess lobbies on behalf of Savannah to State Legislature, he relies on Mr. Morrill to
provide him with pertinent financial information. Mr. Morrill gives him impact research and
analysis reports related to specific pieces of legislation. He creates slides, charts, and graphs for
Mr. Burgess to present to the State. He is quick to respond to Mr. Burgess’ needs and provides
him with thorough information.
Mr. Morrill is bright and well educated. His staff members have a high regard for him and value
his high morals. He has strong people skills and is not overbearing. He is very easy to work
with because of his first-rate personality.
Mr. Morrill has a good relationship with the governing body. He is very astute about political
relationships. They may often disagree, but Mr. Morrill knows when to push and when he must
submit. The Council can sometimes be more involved in day to day operations than they should.
Mr. Morrill has successfully managed working with this group of individuals.
Mr. Morrill has worked on several successful projects in the community. He focused on
cleaning up certain rundown areas and providing renewal in low income communities. One
downtown renewal project included a parking facility, the expansion of the river walk, and added
retail space. His financial acumen has been a big asset in making these projects successful.
Mr. Morrill has worked under a superb City Manager. He has been fully exposed to his skills
and learned much from emulating them. He has academic training and has managed a diverse
city. Advancing to City Manager would be an ideal step for him, and the timing is right.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Good personality,
Strong academically,
Not overbearing,
High morals,
Bright, and
Quick to respond.
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Christopher Morrill
Strengths: People skills.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Dick Evans - CFO, City of Savannah, GA (912) 651-6440
Mr. Evans has known Mr. Morrill since 2001. They have worked together monitoring the
finances of the City. Mr. Morrill has a strong background in budgeting and knows how to
balance a budget. He is very precise and concerned with numbers.
Mr. Morrill is very good at keeping others informed. He is open, clear, and direct in his
communications. He knows how to word financial reports in ways that are understandable to
anyone. He is a good consensus builder. He welcomes the input of his staff, keeps them
informed,. He then creates the appropriate solution to the problem.
Mr. Morrill pitched the idea of a new budgeting process to the City. It is called Budgeting for
Outcomes. He authored this process of establishing priorities first, then budgeting to finance the
services which address those priorities. This new process has had the added bonus of organizing
all departments to work toward a common goal.
Mr. Morrill developed good relationships with other entities outside the city government
including the Chamber of Commerce, the historic community, developers, and other
organizations. He represents the City well and has high standards.
Mr. Morrill would make a very good City Manager.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Methodical,
Personable,
Analytical,
Technically strong,
Competent, and
Works well with people.
Strengths: Financial skills.
Weaknesses: None identified.
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Chris Miller – Creative Economy Consultant, Savannah, GA (912) 484-7192
Mr. Miller is a resident of Savannah and an entrepreneur. He has known Mr. Morrill since 2001.
Mr. Morrill has proven a tremendous support and vital contact for Mr. Miller. He helps facilitate
Mr. Miller’s efforts by being accessible and getting involved in his projects. Mr. Morrill returns
calls and follows up. He is open to new ideas and is supportive whenever he feels it will benefit
the community. He focuses on results, not on politics. He takes on a role beyond simply
handling the paperwork. He sees the whole community as a team. He uses his influence in the
government to help outside projects succeed, projects that benefit the community. He
understands that, if he helps outside agencies better the community then the pressure on the City
to provide these services or changes will lessen or, alternatively, there will be more money to ay
for the services.
Mr. Morrill is very patient. He has a pleasant approach to handling difficult situations.
Whenever issues become politically charged, he is able to calm the waters, allowing the real
issues to become clear. He listens willingly and is open to reconsideration of any preconceived
ideas. His goal is to align the community so it can be the best it can be.
At times, Mr. Morrill has had to work with people who do not have the best interests of the City
in mind. The options in dealing with such people are either: refuse to work with them, or work
with them and realign their interests. Mr. Morrill has been a very positive influence and has a
talent for turning negative intent into positive results.
As an example, the Savannah River landing is a 100 million dollar project proposed for the
development of 54 acres in the downtown area. The developer had planned to create a gated
community of single family homes. Mr. Morrill recognized the importance of developing this
area. However, he did not feel a gated community would adhere to the historical sense of the
area, nor would it be the best use of the land. He was able to convince the developer to make
changes which would benefit them and the City. The project now consists of a 5-star hotel and
spa, several luxury condominium towers, 17 single family riverfront homes, 11 blocks of single
family town homes, retail stores, restaurants, art galleries and office buildings. Also, the public
squares were donated back to the City. Both the developers and the City will greatly benefit
from this project, which is currently under construction.
Mr. Miller knows of a major developer out of Atlanta who has taken a special interest in
Savannah. He expressed to Mr. Miller that he has chosen Savannah primarily because Mr.
Morrill has always been willing to talk to him about his investments. He returns his calls and
helps him solve his problems. Encouraged by his interactions with Mr. Morrill, the gentleman
will keep investing in the region.
Mr. Morrill deserves the opportunity to move up from his current position as an Assistant City
Manager. He needs the freedom to bring about good things. It will be a large loss for the City of
Savannah if he is chosen by another municipality, but he will make an excellent City Manager.
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Reference Notes
Christopher Morrill
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Knowledgeable,
Resourceful,
Efficient,
Possessing integrity,
Professional, and
Timely.
Strengths: Ability to work with outside agencies and create cohesion.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Beth Robinson, Human Resources Director, City of Savannah, GA, (912) 651-6925
Ms. Robinson has worked with Mr. Morrill since 1995 and reports directly to him.
Mr. Morrill’s strength is in finance. He is well respected and has been nationally recognized for
his work by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). He has also been a member
of various committees in the financial community. Although finance is his specialty, he has
shown himself able to learn skills in many areas and to contribute in those areas.
Mr. Morrill is a team player. Rather than receive all the credit, he wants to see his whole team
be praised for their efforts. He values his staff and their talents. As a manager he knows how to
help redirect those who are not team players so they learn to collaborate. He is sincere,
concerned, and involved. He is a visionary. He can see where the City needs to go and how to
get there.
One of the most significant changes Mr. Morrill has made is called Budgeting for Outcomes. He
has been the driving force and visionary behind this new method of doing business. It has taught
the City to look at its services form the citizens’ perspective and understand what services they
value. Mr. Morrill has also set up the priority teams. He chose individuals whose vision went
beyond their immediate area. He was very successful in identifying their strengths and values.
He ensured the teams were a truly representative of all citizens: young and old, male and female,
African American and Caucasian. The new budgeting process helped bridge a 15 million dollar
shortfall.
Customer service is important to Mr. Morrill. He focuses his team’s efforts on providing good
service and lives up to that expectation himself. He does not use his position as Assistant City
Manager to avoid serving individuals. He takes time to speak with citizens and to help them.
He does not like conflict, but knows how to deal with it. He handles problems head on.
Mr. Morrill is a good presenter. He is comfortable in front of employees, citizens, and the Board.
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Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Sincere,
Involved in the community,
Professional,
Articulate,
Genuine, and
Earnest.
Strengths: Team building, vision, and good management skills.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Jenny Payne, Management Services Coordinator, City of Savannah, GA, (912) 651-6420
Ms. Payne has known Mr. Morrill since 2005. She reports directly to him. He has been a strong
leader and is the heart of the organization. He allows his employees to grow without boundaries.
He trusts them and encourages them to do their work. He creates an environment in which the
staff want to work hard for him and produce their best work. He is a very qualified individual
and often acts as the City Manager when that person is absent.
When making a decision Mr. Morrill collaborates with his team to make the best decision for the
community. The results may not always be successful based on some traditional measures of
achievement, but they do represent the best interests of the whole community. That is his focus.
The City Council respects Mr. Morrill. They seem to respond to him better than they do the City
Manager. Mr. Morrill speaks to each of them using their proper title. He understands they are
the most important decision making body in the community so he addresses them professionally
and with respect.
Mr. Morrill is very responsive. He quickly returns phone calls. He spends time with residents,
often listening to their issues when the problem could possibly be handled by someone else. He
is sensitive and in tune. When holding a discussion with someone, he will get up away from his
desk to sit at a table, without his phone or Blackberry, so they can talk without distractions.
Mr. Morrill often plays the role of mediator. In one instance, some time ago, the Economic
Development Authority was having an awards ceremony in a public place. Savannah Gay Pride
group was also in the area handing out flyers. Police who were monitoring the ceremony asked
the group to leave. Mr. Morrill was called regarding the situation. Although the Police Chief
should have been the one to handle the situation, Mr. Morrill understood the political sensitivity
needed. He met with the group and the Police Chief to explain and monitor the discussion. He
helped the group understand that the police would have asked any group to leave the venue had
the situation been reversed. The request of the Police was meant as an attack against their
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specific group. He was successful in calming this group. He even arranged for the Economic
Development Authority to follow up with the group and express its regrets.
As explained in earlier references, Ms. Payne mentioned his implementation of Budgeting for
Outcomes. This new program has led to collaboration across departments. Another project Mr.
Morrill facilitated was a 54 acre development of land adjacent to the historical downtown
district. As also previously noted, the owners of the land had wanted to create a gated
community. Mr. Morrill was able to convince them that sort of development would not be the
best use of the property or nor would it be fit well with the historic downtown area. Together
they came up with a plan to develop the area for mixed use, including single family homes, the
extension of the river walk, retail spaces, and public squares. A tax allocation district was
created, and forty percent of the land was donated back to the community. The owners of the
property are very happy with the plan and how it will best meet the needs of the community.
The project is in development now. The Master Planning for this project received the 2009
Charter Award from the Congress of New Urbanism and the 2009 Excellence in Government
Finance Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and
Canada.
Mr. Morrill has been the Chair for the Leadership Savannah Board of Directors since 2007.
Leadership Savannah is an organization that sponsors community leadership, networking, and
training. Each year a group of thirty people is selected to participate through an application
process. The group reflects the diversity of the community and consists of people from every
sector. Mr. Morrill is well respected in this arena. He makes it a priority to participate in their
events.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Leader,
Encouraging,
Team player,
Genuine,
In tune with people, and
The heart of the organization.
Strengths: Leadership skills and people skills.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Robert “Bob” Bartolotta, City Manager, City of Sarasota, FL, (941) 954-4109
Mr. Bartolotta has known Mr. Morrill since 1989. He was the Assistant City Manager in
Savannah when Mr. Morrill was the Senior Management Analyst to his office.
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The City has greatly benefited from Mr. Morrill’s financial skills. He negotiated a Local Options
Sales Tax shares for Savannah along with those of Chatham County, and six other
municipalities. He has devised employee incentives measured by productivity, and authored a
bonus plan. He is an excellent writer and has published several articles regarding finance. He is
a dedicated worker.
Mr. Morrill knows how to simplify complex issues. He can diffuse a heated situation through his
patience and calm demeanor. He has a strong moral compass and stands firm in what he
believes. He is an advocate for customer service. He has provided training to his staff in
customer service. He listens to citizens’ complaints and will work with them to solve their
problem. He follows up with each citizen to check on the progress of the solution.
Mr. Morrill’s communication skills are excellent. He is very talented at talking people through
issues and building consensus. He has a excellent vision of the big picture and how to coordinate
the efforts of his team.
Mr. Morrill is well prepared to be a City Manger. He manages eleven department heads
including Budget, Audit, and Information Systems. He interacts with the Council every day and
is well respected by them. He has excellent people skills.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Visionary,
Consensus builder,
Focused on people,
Hard worker,
Ethical, and
Excellent writer.
Strengths: Diplomatic skills, people skills, vision, and customer service oriented.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Gregg Schroeder, President, United Way, Savannah, GA, (912) 308-3810
Mr. Schroeder has known Mr. Morrill since 2002. Mr. Morrill is an active member of the United
Way Board of Directors. He is very enjoyable to work with because he has a genuine
personality.
Mr. Morrill has been a good partner to the United Way. He has been a key player in the success
of several projects. One such project involved addressing the need for quality early childhood
education. Savannah has a high drop out rate. To combat the problem, the United Way wanted
to create a positive educational path for young children through use of a child care center.
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The community did not have one. United Way teamed up with a local construction equipment
company, JCB Inc. to develop a nationally accredited child care center. Mr. Morrill joined with
them as a City representative. JCB and United Way provided the funding for the project, and the
City provided the infrastructure for the center. Mr. Morrill shared the same vision as the United
Way and used his resources and talents to bring their projects to successful completion.
Mr. Morrill is a key person in the city government. Often staff or citizens will approach him
rather than the City Manager. He takes anyone’s call and listens sincerely. He is very likable
and easy to work with. He has masterminded the financial stability of the City. His
implementation of the Budgeting for Outcomes method has been a great success.
In town hall meetings, Mr. Morrill is very good on his feet. He treats others with dignity and
respect. He patiently listens to their complaints. Even when Mr. Morrill has to bring bad news
to neighborhood associations, he is able to explain the reasons in a manner that helps them
understand. He has good rapport with the general public because he responds to their needs.
Mr. Morrill is experienced and well qualified to be a City manager. He is a hard worker and a
positive person to be around.
Adjectives or Phrases Used to Describe Mr. Morrill:
Thorough,
Accomplished,
Outcomes focused,
People oriented,
Optimistic, and
Realistic.
Strengths: Team player, vision and dedication to serving the community.
Weaknesses: None identified.
Prepared by: Tiffany Gremmert
Colin Baenziger & Associates
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
November 6, 2009
ENMARK, CITY TO TRY FOR COMPROMISE
Author: LESLEY CONN
A rezoning request for a planned Enmark station is being delayed two weeks so city officials and
Enmark representatives can try to develop a compromise to appease residents dead-set against
the station. Poplar Place residents are worried the rezoning will allow Enmark to build a
convenience store and pumps at White Bluff Road and Hampstead Avenue, which will further
push commercial development into their residential neighborhood.
Several City Council members at Thursday's meeting expressed their support for Enmark, which
has promised to build a store that would use subdued colors, low signage and other design
elements to better blend with the residential neighborhood. Alderwoman Edna Jackson said she
disagreed with City Manager Michael Brown's initial recommendation to deny the rezoning.
"That corner has been an eyesore for years," she said. "Anything would be better."
Aldermen Tony Thomas, Van Johnson and Jeff Felser concurred. As council members debated
the rezoning, Alderman Clifton Jones repeated and expanded on an allegation from one of the
residents. He stated that Ben Farmer, a local real estate agent and member of the Metropolitan
Planning Organization, had an agent who had sold the property to Enmark. Alderman Van
Johnson called the allegation "very unsettling," and Mayor Otis Johnson directed city staff to
investigate the claim. He was uncomfortable that the statement had been made publicly, he said,
and said if found untrue, it would be corrected publicly.
Farmer, reached after the meeting, said the claim was untrue. He once had a listing on the
property, but it expired with no sale. "We had nothing to do with that transaction. If I had I
would have disclosed it." Farmer and Jones spoke late Thursday, and the alderman said he will
issue a public apology. "I'm prepared to do that at our next meeting," Jones said.
In other action, the council:
- Did a first read on a revised, proposed ordinance that would require mandatory alcohol server
training, registration and permitting. The council had been struggling with how broad the
ordinance should be, and after discussion determined it would not expand the requirement to
include all hotels, restaurants and other businesses that serve alcohol. Most of the problems with
underage drinking center in nightclubs, they agreed, so other establishments would only be
forced to comply if they were cited for alcohol-related issues.
- Because of lower sales tax revenues, the city is anticipating receiving $33 million less in
special purpose local option sales tax money, which helps fund projects like the Forsyth fort
renovation, drainage projects, park improvements and similar work, Assistant City Manager
Chris Morrill told council during its workshop.
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The city had been expecting $160 million, but more likely will receive about $130 million. That
will require reviewing the city's list of projects and delaying some of them, Morrill said. Council
members did a preliminary review of dozens of projects, but will do a more detailed review of
projects at its upcoming budget retreat, which is scheduled for Nov. 30.
Morrill also showed council that because of lower revenues, the city is reducing by several
million dollars the amount of money it sets aside in its general fund for capital improvements.
From 2006 to 2008, the city spent about $5 million. This year, it set aside no money in the fund,
and for 2010, plans to set aside $1.6 million. Because of the reduction in funds, the city will
concentrate only on needed maintenance projects with those monies.
- The council got an overview of the proposed Historic District Ordinance. Once passed, it will
provide specific guidelines for building height, design standards and the approval process for
new structures in the district. Brown called the public input and review process "one of the most
exhausting" the city has undertaken.
Council will consider the ordinance on first reading at its Nov. 19 meeting.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
September 25, 2009
BEST, WORST OF TIMES
LOCAL ECONOMY 'RIGHT IN SYNC' WITH REST OF STATE, NATION
Author: ARLINDA SMITH BROADY
Economic growth in the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Chatham, Bryan
and Effingham counties, significantly slowed in 2008, according to data released Thursday by
the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Out of 366 metropolitan areas, Savannah ranked 144 with a Gross Domestic Product growth rate
of 0.2 percent. "These statistics suggest that the Savannah area profile is right in sync with the
rest of the state and the nation," said Jeffrey Humphreys, director of the University of Georgia's
Selig Center for Economic Growth. "This recession was really tough on the entire region, and
recovery will be slow."
The slowdown in economic growth didn't just affect this region, data showed. About 60 percent
of metropolitan areas saw economic growth slow down or reverse. Real Gross Domestic Product
growth slowed in 220 of the nation's 366 metropolitan statistical areas last year, from 2 percent
in 2007 to 0.8 percent in 2008.
Downturns in construction, manufacturing, finance and insurance restrained growth in many
metropolitan areas, including Savannah, with government spending showing the most growth.
"No one was really surprised by the data," said Chris Morrill, Savannah assistant city manager.
"We knew the recession hit us harder and later than a lot of areas." And although it's down from
previous years, the city is doing better than the state as a whole, which saw slightly negative
growth at -0.6 percent. "We're investing our very limited resources in economic growth and
quality of life," Morrill said, "and what's a more important quality of life issue than jobs?"
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Business in Savannah (GA)
September 16, 2009
CITY PROJECTS WOULD HELP DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS
Author: ARLINDA SMITH BROADY
During a meeting of the Downtown Business Association last week, Savannah Assistant City
Manager Chris Morrill outlined developments designed to help the association's members and
others. The first step in unifying economic development efforts was to unify the city logos,
Morrill said. So the city commissioned a new logo based on the city squares. "It's uniquely
Savannah, and it ties all the departments together," Morrill said. Another important step, he
said, was to grow population. So the city annexed enough land to increase its area by 40 percent.
"We were losing population for the past 30 years," Morrill said. He compared Savannah's fate to
Detroit, where residents moved to the suburbs, causing the city to raise taxes to fight crime and
urban blight.
Now, several plans are in the works, including developments around Ellis Square and the fort
under construction in Forsyth Park. The Whitaker Street Garage, which lies beneath the square,
has been in use since October 2008. To break even for operations and debt service, the garage
must make $1.3 million this year, said Sean Brandon, director of the city's Mobility and Parking
Department. By the end of July, revenue figures for the Whitaker Street Garage are at $766,000.
"We'll probably make our projections," Brandon said. "It's feast or famine. ... Some weekends we
clear as much as $10,000, and others the garage is nearly empty."
The above-ground portion promises to be people friendly. "It will be the only square with a
building on it," Morrill said. There will be a hospitality center and permanent restrooms. One of
the most fanciful features is the fountains with 12-foot water jets that can project 260 colors of
LED lights. Those fountains can be turned off, and the square is wired to accommodate concerts
and other forms of outdoor entertainment. It can hold about 1,000 people and will have tables
and chairs instead of benches. "Benches aren't good for interaction," Morrill said. "We want
this to be a place to gather and be with friends and family."
As for the fort at Forsyth Park, a temporary band shell will accommodate concerts, plays and
other events but can be disassembled for everyday use. When the band shell isn't in use,
fountains similar to ones at Ellis Square will be in place. "We envision a very family-friendly
atmosphere where kids can play and parents can relax," Morrill said.
A restaurant leased by the Kessler Group, owner of the Mansion on Forsyth, and "the best
bathrooms in town" will be another draw. These projects and others are part of the city's plan to
partner with businesses to create a prosperous region. "We need to move away from the
mentality that citizens and businesses are customers," Morrill said. "We need to work toward
partnerships. The way to get out of this recession faster is to build community relationships."
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
September 9, 2009
MORE CITY BUDGET CUTS COMING
AS REVENUES FOR 2010 LOOK LOWER, TEAMS OF SAVANNAH CITY
EMPLOYEES PROPOSE CUTS TO SERVICES, DEPARTMENTS
Author: LESLEY CONN
The city of Savannah is looking at further reducing staff, merging offices and ending some
services - decisions that will be made in the coming weeks to trim another $3 million in spending
by the end of the year. The bleak prospect for 2010 will further spur spending cuts. City budget
analysts already see a $10 million decline in general fund revenue compared to 2009, sales tax
revenue remains unpredictable and property assessments that generate the bulk of city income
have been ordered frozen until 2011 by the legislature.
One of the more visible city services being evaluated: Ending the Savannah-Chatham police
department's mounted patrol unit. Officers would be rotated into patrol cars to fill vacancies.
"We're questioning everything," said Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill. "If it was just about
today, we'd be OK, but the problem is we don't know about revenue for the rest of the year."
A lower city revenue base, he said, is likely going to stay lower for the next 10 years, which will
require the city to re-examine its spending. The city already has reduced spending by about $12
million this year to offset lower revenues. That largely has been accomplished by leaving non-
essential jobs outside public safety vacant. Nearly 200 of the city's 2,600 positions are unfilled.
Bret Bell, the city's director of public information, said the city is continuing to look at
eliminating positions, but "we're not looking at mass layoffs."
BUILDING A BUDGET
Many of the spending cuts for the 2009 budget will be implemented immediately and will be
handled as part of day-to-day operations. Others, such as a proposal to end the mounted patrol
unit, have evolved as teams of city workers participating in a new budgeting process for 2010
evaluate city services. The teams are evaluating services under a variety of umbrellas, such as
neighborhood vitality, public safety, health and environment, poverty reduction and economic
development. City Manager Michael Brown will use their recommendations to build the city's
proposed budget in October. That will be presented to City Council members, who will evaluate
the proposal and can mandate changes before approving the budget in a series of public hearings.
That, too, shows a lean year ahead. The proposals the teams received for city services totaled
$221 million, but the projected revenue available for them equaled $214 million.
LOOKING FOR SAVINGS
Among some of the other cost-saving measures:
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- A employee task force created to find savings in city mowing services identified $627,000 in
cuts.
Some was achieved by notifying citizens who had "tree lawns" - grassy strips between their
street and sidewalk - that the city no longer would trim them. But larger savings were found by
not hiring seasonal staff, reducing mowing frequency along streets, cutting back on plantings and
using in-house staff to maintain Laurel Grove Cemetery rather than fill a maintenance contract.
Small outlying parcels will be contracted out, Bell said, which will cost less than hauling the city
equipment as far south as Coffee Bluff to trim a small lot.
- Consolidating fire and police dispatch services by Jan. 1. The primary reason, Morrill said, is
to improve services, but some cost-savings are anticipated.
- Merging offices and employees.
The Citizen Office, which coordinates public notices to neighborhoods during large city projects
and other city initiatives, will merge with the Public Information Office.
Susan Broker, director of the Citizen Office, is filling an administrative position in the city
manager's office left open since Sean Brandon, the former assistant to the city manager, became
the city's director of mobility services and parking in April 2008.
Three staffers under her will move into Bell's office, and by November, the city no longer will
pay rent at an office on Oglethorpe Square.
Annual savings: $15,000 in rent.
"There are talks about doubling up other offices, and even though there may not be a personnel
reduction, there are reductions in rent, in office equipment and other resources," Broker said.
"Basically, everyone in the city is going through their budget and looking to see what they can
do without at least for the next year."
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
June 19, 2009
CITY STANDS BY RIVER PROJECT
OFFICIAL SAYS $20 MILLION OBLIGATION FOR SAVANNAH RIVER LANDING
STILL A 'GO' DESPITE FLAGGING ECONOMY
Author: LESLEY CONN, 912-652-0326, lesley.conn@savannahnow.com
The city of Savannah isn't backing away from its commitment to Savannah River Landing, even
as the economy challenges the waterfront development and the city budget. At a City Council
workshop session Thursday, Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill outlined the $20 million in
road, drainage and other improvements the city will undertake. That money will come from
revenue collected from a special tax allocation district established around the riverfront
development.
Alderman Tony Thomas was the first to question why the city was proceeding during the
uncertain economic times, especially given that from a public safety standpoint, President Street
and General McIntosh Boulevard have been issues for years. He said he supports the project but
added: "This raises a question for me. I've never seen us push an issue this hard."
The improvements, Morrill said, are about more than public safety. "Savannah River Landing
cannot really have any economic development until we deal with President Street," he said.
Aldermen Van Johnson and Jeff Felser later said they believe the city is sending mixed messages
about the development. "It was always my understanding of them as being mutually exclusive
projects," Johnson said. "Today I got the impression they are tied together."
Savannah River Landing's developers have invested $60 million in site improvements, Finance
Director Dick Evans said, and the $1.4 million in debt service the city is paying annually is still
manageable and worth it to honor the private developer's investment.
The mixed-use residential/commercial and retail development has a total estimated price tag of
$800 million, and it promises to redefine more than 40 acres of the waterfront just east of the
Marriott Savannah Riverfront hotel. As part of the original development agreement for
Savannah River Landing, the city had signed off on elevating and widening President and
General McIntosh and straightening a section of McIntosh. A second phase of President Street
improvements, which include building a bridge over railroad tracks, was not part of the
agreement. In trying to secure federal stimulus funds for that phase, city officials emphasized its
hurricane evacuation and improved safety features. "I saw no difference in the plan as it was
proposed all along," Alderwoman Mary Osborne said. "That's a major development. Nobody's
going to walk away from that."
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The improvements along President help not only Savannah River Landing but also other planned
commercial and residential developments on the south side of the road, Osborne and city
officials said.
Should Ambling Cos., the developer, fail to move forward on its investment, City Manager
Michael Brown said, the city would have a site with improved roads, drainage, a riverwalk and
established water and sewer lines. He and other city officials said they were confident Savannah
River Landing would remain viable and were confident vertical construction would begin next
year, as company officials have stated.
Savannah River Landing continues to operate from trailers on the site. On Monday, the project
plans to unveil a new Web site, said Kate Freeman, the company's marketing and community
relations manager.
Sales efforts continue on the residential, commercial and retail front, but she said she could not
disclose any information about whether any new commercial or retail clients had been signed up.
"The economic times have certainly been a lesson in patience for us," she said. "But we're still
committed to the original vision of the project."
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
March 27, 2009
SAVANNAH TIGHTENING ITS BELT
COUNCIL TOLD BUDGET COULD BE SHORT BY $9 MILLION
Author: LESLEY CONN, 912-652-0326, lesley.conn@savannahnow.com
One out of every 10 city positions is going unfilled as the city of Savannah deals with declining
revenues expected to total $9 million. The city has left open 250 positions and by year's end
expects to have 330 positions vacant, said Chris Morrill, the city's assistant city manager over
financial services. Those openings so far have saved the city $1.6 million. A team of city
administrators reviews any job positions to determine if it needs to be filled. Only lower-level
police and fire department jobs are exempt from review so that public safety needs will continue
to be met. The city employs about 2,500 workers. Other teams of employees are examining key
aspects of city operations to look for further cost-cutting measures, but city leaders cautioned the
City Council on Thursday that the shortfall could be higher than anticipated.
One factor that could change the financial projections is any changes the state legislature may
pass regarding property and sales tax collections. "Bottom line, we may need to cut $10 million
to $15 million," City Manager Michael Brown said. "I hope it's not $20 (million)." Revenue
reports from the first two months of the year show collections down in some key areas, Morrill
said.
February sales taxes are down $388,000 from the same time in 2008, and hotel/motel taxes for
February are down $191,432. Building inspection fees are down $169,113. Some key areas are
doing better than expected. Recorder's Court fees were $142,148 above projections, and water
and sewer tie-ins - an early indicator of new building - are about $100,000 above projections. In
February, the city collected $600,000 in tap-in fees.
Morrill's budget presentation came during a council workshop. During council's regular session,
they took the following action:
- Passed a resolution to be sent to the Georgia Department of Transportation restating the city's
top priorities for transportation projects. None of the city's priority projects was included in the
first round of federal stimulus projects the state selected. Their top item for the second round will
be the widening and elevation of President Street, a $36 million project. Council members also
asked that local congressmen and groups such as the National League of Cities get a copy as well
so they could see that stimulus money was not making its way past Atlanta.
- Asked city staff to return within 60 days with recommendations for instituting a registration
and card system for bartenders and servers, as well as stiffer penalties for minors who try to buy
alcohol.
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- Approved a contract for $1.5 million for curbs, gutters, underground storm drainage and
pavement improvements in Fernwood, a neighborhood near Savannah State University. The
project has been on the city's to-do list for several years.
- Granted a liquor license to the owners of Sweet Melissa's, 35 Whitaker St. Owner Denise
White Pipkin agreed alcohol would be served only to dine-in customers. City officials had been
worried customers would be allowed to drink and congregate outside, which would contribute to
pedestrian traffic problems at the busy intersection.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
February 25, 2009
CITY PREVIEWS STIMULUS SPENDING
COUNCIL MEMBERS LIST $422 MILLION IN ELIGIBLE PROJECTS, RANGING
FROM TRANSPORTATION TO JOB TRAINING AND DAY CARE
Author: LESLEY CONN, 912-652-0326, lesley.conn@savannahnow.com
The city of Savannah has identified $422 million in local projects and programs that could be
funded under the federal stimulus package.
Entries include $50.7 million for widening and elevating the President Street Extension, $30
million to upgrade Savannah-Chatham police headquarters on Habersham Street, $182,300 for a
downtown day care center and $100,000 for an electricians training institute.
Now city leaders have to determine which projects should have the highest priority - and which
will have the greatest chance of being deemed worthy by the 13 federal departments that will
award funding to competing projects that will pour in from across the nation.
All the projects under review are considered "shovel-ready," meaning work - and the workers
who would be hired - would start quickly.
Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill said the city was ahead of the game because of its five-
year capital improvement planning, which would drive what the city submitted. "It's a shotgun
approach," he said. "Those who will be successful will be flexible ... and will be able to mold
their project to fit the criteria."
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
February 24, 2009
CITY, COUNTY DISPUTE JAIL BILL
SAVANNAH, CHATHAM WORK TO RESOLVE $600,000 IN CHARGES
Author: ERIC CURL, 912-652-0312, eric.curl@savannahnow.com
The time it takes Savannah to reimburse Chatham County for costs associated with housing jail
inmates has some county officials concerned. City officials say extra time is needed to scrutinize
the county's error-filled monthly bills. According to an intergovernmental agreement, Savannah
is supposed to pay the county $35 per day for each inmate arrested in the city. Bills are to be sent
and paid monthly, but a back and forth between the two governments regarding certain charges
has delayed the process. The delays have been a recurring challenge and county officials are
trying to speed up payments, said County Manager Russ Abolt. "It's money we feel we're due,"
Abolt said. Some county commissioners voiced concerns after no reimbursements were received
after the first quarter and only a small portion of the amount budgeted had been received after the
second quarter, which ended Dec. 31. Abolt attributed the delay to the time the city takes
checking the bills. On average, it takes two to three months from the time the Sheriff's
Department sends an initial list of jail fees until the final bill is sent, said Linda Cramer, county
finance director.
A final bill for August, September and October did not get sent until January, Cramer said. Once
the bill is sent, Savannah typically pays in two to three weeks, Cramer said. Savannah paid the
county about $1.3 million last year for inmate housing, she said. About $404,000 has been
received this year. "When we have an accurate bill, we pay it," said Assistant City Manager
Chris Morrill. But accuracy is not typically the case, Morrill said.
Between 2003 - when the agreement became effective - and 2007, more than $640,000 worth of
errors were discovered, Recorders Court Director Prince Johnson said in a memo regarding the
issue. An average of 10 percent, or almost $10,700, worth of errors is found each month,
Johnson said. Sheriff Al St Lawrence and Jail Administrator Col. McArthur Holmes said there
are disagreements regarding certain charges. The city may refuse to pay for a city inmate once
another jurisdiction places a hold on that inmate, Holmes said. The city should still pay the bill,
he said. The day an inmate is "bound" to the courts is also commonly a matter of dispute. City
officials say inmates are often classified as city prisoners when the arrest actually took place in
the unincorporated county. The county has no similar complaints from the other municipalities,
St Lawrence said. Other municipalities may return their rosters more quickly, but their bills
consist of only a small fraction of the bookings reviewed by Savannah, Johnson said. Savannah
typically reviews an average of 930 inmates and more than $100,000 in charges, while Garden
City was invoiced an average of about $5,600 in charges for the first 10 months of 2008. The
county proposed having the city pay an average advance each month to speed up the process.
Depending on the actual expense, the city would later be credited or charged. City officials
declined. The county should work on fixing the errors before the city should have to pay an
incorrect bill, Morrill said.
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Entrepreneur
August 2008
GFOA's new president-elect and executive board.(Government Finance Officers
Association) (Paul A. Macklem, Catherine R. O'Connor,)
The Government Finance Officers Association is governed by an 18-member executive board,
which consists of 15 members-at-large serving staggered three-year terms, the current president,
the previous year's president, and the president-elect. At the association's annual meeting in June,
GFOA members voted for a slate of nominees for president-elect and five new members-at-large,
each of whom is profiled below.
[Note: We have included only the information for Christopher Morrill
who was appointed as an at-large board member.]
CHRISTOPHER P. MORRILL
Assistant City Manager--Management and Financial Services
City of Savannah, Georgia
Chris Morrill has been a GFOA member for 17 years. He is a member of the GFOA Committee
on Economic Development and Capital Planning and also served on the GFOA Committee on
Governmental Budgeting and Fiscal Policy from 1994 to 1999. Morrill has been an instructor
for various GFOA training seminars including Budgeting for Budget Analysts, Capital
Budgeting, and Best Practices in Budgeting. He also reviews budgets for the GFOA's Award for
Distinguished Budget Presentation Program. He has spoken on issues including economic
development at GFOA annual conferences as well as at Florida and Georgia GFOA conferences.
He has also written articles for the Government Finance Review.
Morrill shares his expertise internationally He was a municipal finance advisor to the South
African National Treasury and a Peace Corps volunteer in public finance in Ukraine. He is a
Fellow of the Kellogg National Leadership Program. In Savannah, he instituted annual five-year
financial planning and five-year capital planning, reducing the tax millage rate by 27 percent in
10 years.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
July 19, 2008
CITY MULLS HIKE ON TAX REVENUE, RISING FUEL COSTS
GAS PRICES, LOWER REVENUE BEHIND SAVANNAH'S CONSIDERATION
AGAINST ROLLING BACK PROPERTY TAX FOR FIRST TIME IN A DECADE
Author: ERIC CURL, 912-652-0312, eric.curl@savannahnow.com
High city fuel costs and less consumer spending mean some Savannah property owners will pay
more in property taxes this year. City Manager Michael Brown recommended during a City
Council workshop Thursday that the board not roll back the property-tax rate as it has done for
the past 10 years. "We could reduce it, but there are several reasons not to," Brown said. "We're
recommending you stick with what you got at the moment." Maintaining the tax rate at its
current level of 12.5 mills - or $12.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value - means the owner
of a $125,289 home will pay $19 more than in 2007 due to increased property value, said
Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill.
Those same property owners would only pay $9 in additional property taxes if the tax rate was
rolled back to the recommended level. Savannah officials contend the extra money is needed
because the city is facing a projected $1.1 million shortfall in sales-tax revenue and about
$800,000 in unexpected fuel costs. Much of the revenue decline comes from a drop in food,
automobile, home and lumber sales, Morrill said. A larger-than-expected increase in property-
tax revenue is enough to cover the difference but only if the tax rate is kept flat.
Commercial and residential properties that are not primary residences could see more of an
increase because they're not protected by the Stephens-Day Homestead exemption, which
essentially freezes a home's taxable value but factors in consumer price index fluxuations. There
have been some positive developments during the year, Morrill said. Property-tax revenue is
expected to increase 3 percent more than the city originally anticipated, which would bring in an
extra $1.9 million. More than 60 percent of the growth in property value, about $228 million,
comes from new development as opposed to reassessed values of existing property. "This is the
type of growth we want," Morrill said. The implementation of energy savings programs in city
buildings last year, such as new heating and air-conditioning controls and weatherized buildings,
has resulted in a reduced power bill, Morrill said. "It's the first time I can remember we are
actually spending less on electricity," he said. Hotel and motel tax revenue appears likely to
come in even or slightly above the budgeted amount. "Savannah has been amazing the last five
years," Brown said. "A lot of these (hotels) are running around with 70, 80 percent occupancy."
Still, the tax rate needs to stay where it is to cope with the ongoing "recession," Morrill said.
Mayor Otis Johnson said he was concerned Georgia lawmakers could limit the amount of
property-tax revenue the city takes in after making unsuccessful tax reform measures this past
legislative season. "So I think we have to take a very conservative approach to what we do,"
Johnson said. "The question is will we ... get caught up in the trend of the day and want to get on
the rampart and say we cut taxes. If we cut taxes, what are we going to cut in services?"
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
May 1, 2008
LNG NEVER PAID FIRE FEES
SAVANNAH OFFICIALS WANT TO COLLECT MORE THAN $500,000 IN UNPAID
BILLS
Author: SCOTT M. LARSON, 912-652-0397, scott.larson@savannahnow.com
The El Paso Corp. made more than $1 billion last year, in part from the liquefied natural gas
plant it owns on Elba Island. But the company refuses to pay nearly $500,000 the city of
Savannah claims the company owes in fire protection fees from the last three years, plus
$178,000 due in October. "I can't imagine $178,000 to protect the community that they are
located in would be a real financial hardship for the company," said Assistant City Manager
Chris Morrill.
In fact, in its 30-year existence on the island, the multi-national corporation has never paid for
fire protection.
It never has paid for the eight calls to which Savannah Fire & Emergency Services has responded
since 2001. But the city still covered the plant, including a freebie on Sept. 24, 2001, to rescue
four people working at the site who got trapped in a basket 80 feet in the air. Now, the plant is in
the middle of a fire protection controversy. After the city went to the company about the past due
bill, El Paso decided to sign a contract with Southside Fire & Emergency Services. "I'm not sure
what their thinking is, but I can tell you if they want real fire protection for an industry, the city
of Savannah is the only entity that can provide that level of service," Morrill said. "So it must be
about money."
El Paso spokesman Bill Baerg would only say that Southside is a better fit, although city officials
say Southside doesn't have the same capabilities. Fire aside, the plant and others like it are
concerns for environmental activists and politicians alike. Area activists argue that the plant
poses a serious fire and explosion threat. Liquefied natural gas is a natural gas cooled to minus-
260 degrees, but it won't burn in its liquid state. Industry officials say that means it won't explode
and level houses for miles as opponents claim. The Elba Island facility opened in 1978 but
closed two years later. It re-opened in 2001 and has never had any incident with the 200 ships
that have delivered cargo there since.
The U.S. Congress is worried about terrorists attacking liquefied natural gas ships. Last week,
the House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the Coast Guard to enforce security zones
around arriving tankers. El Paso's Savannah site is approved to nearly double to 15.7 billion
cubic feet by 2012.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
March 26, 2008
LOGO UNITES CITY SERVICES
LOCAL DESIGN FIRM CREATES UPDATED BRANDING FOR CITY ON MODEST
BUDGET
Author: EMILY GREEN, For the Savannah Morning News
You've probably seen it around town. The subtly scripted "Savannah" prominently placed in
black beside a tilted, abstract version of the city's historic green squares. The city of Savannah's
new logo is gradually showing up on everything from maintenance vehicles and parking meter
receipts to letterhead and envelopes. "It was important that the design be timeless, not trendy, so
it would not go out of style," Morrill said. "This should be a viable design for decades."
Don't let the simplicity of the logo fool you into thinking it is just another pretty design.
Months of research and proposed sketches by local design firm brightwhitespace, partnered with
an identity design committee made up of city employees, went into the production and
implementation of the updated logo, now visible all around Savannah.
IDENTITY CRISIS
The plan for rebranding the city of Savannah's image began during a conversation concerning the
more than 40 individual logos that represented various service departments. Film Commissioner
Jay Self and Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill discussed a need for one unifying look to
represent the city as a single entity and thus began the initial stages of rebranding.
The many existing department logos were not coherent or recognizable as part of the city of
Savannah. Some didn't even represent the intended service to the public, creating potential
confusion for citizens wondering which services their tax dollars supported.
"We have thousands of employees, thousands of vehicles out there doing work all day and
people don't think about them all being the city of Savannah," Self said.
THEY GET SAVANNAH
The city hired Ariel Janzen and Rigel Crockett of brightwhitespace to work on the project in
stages. Their previous experience with identities for the Liberty Parking Shuttle and Tourism and
Film Department provided some established trust, but more importantly, the committee chose the
local firm because they "get" Savannah.
"There's so much about Savannah that's so subtle," Morrill said. "You really have to live here to
get it. Having a local company rather than some big national firm come in was important to the
process."
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From studies and surveys to sketches with various colors, typography and imagery, the two
teams collaborated throughout the process.
PLACE BRANDING
"With so much competition for businesses, for visitors, you have to put out a positive image,"
Morrill said. "You have to put out an image that says 'we have our act together.' "
Janzen and Crockett researched other cities with successful rebranding and conducted surveys
with Savannah residents, which they used to help compile a list of identity requirements, design
specifications and branding goals with the committee.
"As with any identity problem, the challenge was one of perception," Crockett said. "Many city
employees did not feel good about their outdated 1950s-style, institutional business cards.
Additionally, because each of the city's departments had a unique logo, citizens were not always
able to identify which services the city was actually delivering."
WHAT'S IN A NAME
"We realized that the word 'Savannah' itself has a very positive message in it," Self said. "It's a
beautiful name to visitors and to locals alike. Instead of minimizing that, the word 'Savannah' is
in the center of the logo."
Deciding on an accompanying icon proved more taxing than choosing the main part of the logo.
After considering numerous icons, the committee selected one of the city squares tipped on point
because of its messages. The committee realized Savannah means different things to different
people, however, the one thing unique to the city when compared to others is the public city
squares.
"The central core of the Oglethorpe plan and the ward is the square, the open space, the green
space, the sense of public," Morrill said. "For us it's the simplicity of the symbol and the
allusion to the public city squares," Crockett said. "This is important because the square not only
represents Savannah's beauty and livability, but it reminds us that the city has always been
responsible for their care."
The official design brief explained that the shading of the city square "creates a positive forward
motion." The use of green does justice to the countless parks and trees while emphasizing an
environmental focus, and the feminine serif font of "Savannah" captures the welcoming spirit.
"Even though the symbol is kind of a downtown symbol, those values radiate throughout our
community," Self said, "not only in public land planning and public spacing but also with access
and involvement."
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A SOFT ROLLOUT
The city purposely did not plan an official unveiling of the new logo mainly with the taxpayers'
best interest in mind. Instead, it opted for a soft rollout, which means using up supplies that
contained the old logos and waiting until vehicles are replaced. From start to finish the
rebranding cost totaled just less than $25,000, a cost virtually unheard of in most rebranding
projects.
"We wanted to roll it out more organically so that people would subtly discover it," Morrill said.
"Externally, the whole rebranding as an organization shows that we're one organization, we have
core values that we work toward."
Public safety services such as the police and fire departments were not required to switch to the
new logo because of their widely recognized existing logos. Appointed city officials such as the
mayor and legal counsel will continue to use the more formal historic seal.
Brightwhitespace created a 42-page stylebook with specific guidelines for city employees to use
in order to avoid relying on outside vendors for printing. The stylebook contains color variations
of the logo in files formatted for Web and print and lists suggestions on how to use the graphics.
With city employees having access to the files, they can print on an as-need basis instead of
having to order in bulk.
"We thought there would be a lot of push back (internally) because it's difficult to implement
change in any organization," Self said. "But to my knowledge it has been universally accepted
because we rolled it out in a way for our people that made it as easy as possible for them to
embrace it."
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Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
August 20, 2004
PROPOSAL BENEFITS TOURISM GATEWAY
Author: Scott M. Larson and Mary Carr Mayle, Morris News Service
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The tourist boulevard along Savannah's quaint River Street will expand
soon with the construction of a $570 million mixed-use development that city officials say will
transform a chunk of land - next door to downtown Savannah - that resembles a wasteland.
"If you look at it right now as you drive in, it's one of the gateways to Savannah, and it's ugly
looking," said Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill. "There are not many large sites in the city
so close to downtown where you could really do a quality development that could extend the
Historic District."
In the past, the site has scared off developers because of extremely poor drainage.
City officials said that, in the past couple of years, six or seven developers have met with the city
about the property but couldn't make anything work.
Mr. Morrill and John Hutton, the city's acting inspections director, are more optimistic about
this proposal because three developers, including a group building a mall just to the south, are
working together to address the big issues, such as drainage.
"All of a sudden, you are looking at doing something for one-third of the cost," Mr. Hutton said.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
October 15, 2002
SAVANNAH OFFICIALS TO STAY IN INDONESIA
THREE CITY EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE GOODWILL VISIT DESPITE
VIOLENCE.
Author: Savannah Morning News
Friday, three Savannah city officials departed for Indonesia on a goodwill mission to offer their
expertise to a sister city across the globe.
The next day, while the group was in midflight, a bomb exploded in a Bali nightclub.
Sunday, the Savannah trio landed in Indonesia as thousands of Westerners attempted to flee the
island nation.
The three - acting Revenue Director Buddy Clay; Development Services Administrator John
Hutton; and Public Development Coordinator Cindy Boyette - were given the option of
returning, but decided to stay, despite a U.S. embassy order evacuating all nonessential
personnel.
The city they are visiting, Yogyakarta, is located on the main island, they reasoned, and they are
being accompanied at most times by Indonesian security. As an extra precaution, they have
canceled planned media events to lower their visibility.
"They feel safe and they are going to stay," said Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill. "If the
situation changes, we will get them out quickly." Morrill, City Manager Michael Brown and
Finance Director Richard Evans visited Yogyakarta in March to establish the sister-city
partnership as part of a program funded by the International City/County Managers Association.
Hutton, Clay and Boyette will spend the week helping Yogyakarta improve its revenue system
and inspections process.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
September 13, 2002
LOST SOLUTION MAY BE FOUND
NEGOTIATORS TENTATIVELY AGREE HOW TO SPLIT ABOUT $45 MILLION A
YEAR, BUT THE COUNTY COULD BLOCK THE PLAN TODAY.
Author: Jennifer Moroz, Savannah Morning News
After months of bitter back-and-forth, negotiators for Chatham County and eight municipalities
have reached a tentative agreement on how to split up millions of dollars in sales-tax revenue.
Under the proposed distribution of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), the cash-strapped county
would get about $2.3 million a year more than it does under the current arrangement. County
Commission Chairman Billy Hair and representatives of the municipalities, including Savannah,
agreed the deal was a fair compromise. But some county commissioners say that it does not go
far enough, and their voices count: The proposal needs the stamp of the majority on the nine-
member commission to become final.
The commission is expected to consider the matter at its regularly scheduled meeting this
morning. Pooler Mayor Buddy Carter was confident: "We've got five votes lined up." County
Commissioner Frank Murray, one of two designated negotiators for the county, wasn't so certain.
"I don't think it's an offer that has the support to pass," he said.
Murray himself is against the proposal, which was hammered out over the last few days between
Hair and Savannah Mayor Floyd Adams Jr. Representatives of the other seven municipalities,
which have teamed up with Savannah in the negotiations, have signaled their approval. "I think
we're getting close," Murray said, "but I don't feel the offer is where it needs to be right now."
Proceeds from the 1-percent sales tax represent a major source of revenue for local governments,
which use the money to fund services - and lessen the property-tax burden on homeowners.
Over the next 10 years, the tax is expected to generate about $500 million. About 35 percent, or
$175 million, of that comes from tourist spending. The proceeds are divided based on a number
of criteria, including population, level of services provided by each government, and where the
tax is generated. The first split is between the county and the municipalities as a group; the
municipalities then decide how to divvy up their share. Under the current distribution formula,
negotiated in 1995, the county gets 19.22 percent of the annual proceeds - about $8.3 million last
year. Savannah gets the bulk at 68.73 percent - about $30 million last year. Over the last three
months, county officials have argued that they have lost millions a year as a result of the 1995
deal, when they picked up the cost of housing municipal prisoners in return for a slightly larger
piece of the sales-tax pie.
Commissioners, who just finished closing an $11.7 million hole in the county's operations
budget, have blamed a large part of the county's ongoing financial woes on the prisoner issue.
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Municipal officials countered that the county has overestimated its losses, using faulty figures to
calculate prisoner costs.
Under the proposed new agreement, the county would get 17.6 percent of the sales-tax revenue -
an amount equal to about $7.9 million next year. It would charge the municipalities $30 a day
for each municipal prisoner housed in the county jail. The county would pay for municipal
prisoners not yet bound over to the state court system after 28 days.
County officials estimate those prisoner fees will bring in an extra $2.7 million a year. "I think
we've come to an agreement we can all live with," said Garden City administrator Tom Gates.
"We tried to do what was fair and right and protect the tax to make sure it continues to exist." If
an agreement is not finalized by Dec. 30, the tax expires. Up until last week, negotiations
appeared deadlocked.
County officials had originally been asking for 18.6 percent of the tax proceeds, plus $45 a day
for each municipal prisoner.
City negotiators in return offered the county a 15.51 percent cut of the sales-tax pie, with no help
to maintain the county jail.
Savannah Assistant City Manager Chris Morrill said the proposed deal was especially sweet for
the county. "They started at 18.6 percent and $45 (a day per prisoner) and look where this
agreement is," Morrill said. "This is a good deal for them." The city, which last year got about
$30 million of the proceeds and didn't have to pay to house its prisoners, would lose about
$600,000 a year. Morrill said he did not yet know how officials would make up the lost revenue.
If county commissioners ratify the agreement, the municipalities would decide how to divide the
remainder of the sales-tax proceeds. That division is usually based on population, which would
give Savannah 67.37 percent, or about $30.3 million next year. Bloomingdale would get 1.37
percent; Garden City 5.78 percent; Pooler 3.2 percent; Port Wentworth 1.68 percent;
Thunderbolt 1.2 percent; Tybee Island 1.74 percent; and Vernonburg .07 percent.
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
February 1, 2002
SAVANNAH AGREES TO IMPROVE ACCESS
SETTLEMENT WITH JUSTICE DEPT. COMES ALMOST 2 YEARS AFTER AUDIT
FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ADA
Author: Kate Wiltrout
Navigating Savannah's streets - and its bureaucracy - will soon get a little easier for disabled
people. The city is one of 21 state and local governments that settled Wednesday with the U.S.
Department of Justice regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Now
almost 10 years old, the act requires that public facilities be made accessible to all people.
Chris Morrill, an assistant Savannah city manager, said the 11-point agreement should take
about two years to complete. He estimated it would cost about $300,000, and that money would
be found in the budget for the improvements.
Some of the changes are easier than others. For instance, all letters sent from city offices will
have a central TTY telephone number on them, so hearing-impaired residents can contact the
city.
City Council chambers will be fitted with listening systems for the hard-of-hearing, as will
Grayson Stadium and the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena at the Civic Center.
Others are more labor intensive. The city agreed to physical modifications so that "parking,
routes into buildings, entrances, doors, elevators, signage, public telephones, restrooms, dressing
rooms, locker rooms, service counters, drinking fountains and swimming pools are accessible to
people with disabilities."
Carol Bell, Central Services director, said the city would go beyond what's required.
"We don't really have any qualms with the agreement," she said. City Hall will get one wheel-
chair accessible bathroom, though it was technically compliant already, with bathrooms in the
nearby hospitality center on River Street, said city architect Thomas Perdue.
"God only knows whether the original City Hall even had bathrooms," Perdue said. "The city
occupies a lot of buildings that are very historic and very old, and most of those are the ones we
have problems with."
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
November 13, 2001
NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER ALL OVER THE MAP
Author: Kate Wiltrout
Chris Morrill started his job as assistant city manager for management and financial services in
August. The position is new to him - but City Hall isn't. Before spending two years in South
Africa working for the U.S. Agency for International Development, Morrill was Savannah's
research and budget director for seven years. That job was interrupted with a two-year Peace
Corps gig in Ukraine, where he advised the city of Lviv on finance, management and
privatization issues. Morrill, who works out of an office in the top corner of City Hall, filled the
spot left when Bob Bartolotta moved last October.
Here's what Morrill had to say during a break from last week's budget workshops:
What are some of your goals as an assistant city manager?
"First, to ensure that our city employees are well-trained, that they have a good work
environment and they have the support services (they need). ... Next is to maintain the city's
strong financial foundation, particularly through a possible recession."
He also wants to improve the city's use of technology, both for services and to get information
out to citizens. Another top priority is getting citizens more engaged with local government.
How has your work overseas affected your views about local government?
"In the Peace Corps (in Ukraine), I experienced government at its worst, where it's designed to
control and keep track of people rather than provide services. It really makes me want to focus
on the positive role government can play. In South Africa, post-apartheid, it was seeing that to
really have democracy you have to have citizen involvement. It impressed me how diligent they
were at that."
How do you think Savannah changed while you were in Africa the past two years?
"I think what I saw coming back was a lot more economic development, downtown and in the
neighborhoods. Areas like off East Broad Street that I thought were hopeless have all of a sudden
come back. ... I personally have seen a much greater police presence in my own neighborhood
(Ardsley Park), and the city seems a bit cleaner."
What can Savannah residents expect if the economy goes into a prolonged recession?
"If the recession is longer term and systemic, then we really need to look at prioritizing the
services we provide and actively look at our revenue sources. I think an increase in property tax
would probably be a last resort."
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Savannah Morning News (GA)
June 8, 2001
SAVANNAH HIRES NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
Author: Bret Bell
Chris Morrill has spent much of the past five years helping to privatize the Ukraine and create a
new financial framework for local governments in post-apartheid South Africa.
With that kind of background, City Manager Michael Brown figures he will have little trouble
coming up with a budget for little old Savannah. Brown announced Thursday that he hired
Morrill, who helped create annual budgets for the city of Savannah for the better part of a
decade, as assistant city manager for management and financial services.
Considered one of the top three most powerful positions in city government, Morrill fills a
position that had remained vacant since October, when Bob Bartolotta left to run the city of
Jupiter, Fla. Finance Director Richard Evans served as assistant city manager in the interim.
Morrill will start work Aug. 13 with a $98,000 annual salary.
While working for the city from 1990-1992, and again, from 1994-1999, Morrill led an eight-
member team that prepared and monitored a $170 million budget.
"Chris made many improvements in our budget and financial management systems, as well as
in the quality and clarity of our presentation and public information materials," Brown said.
In his new position, Morrill will oversee 10 city departments, including vehicle maintenance,
finance, human resources, purchasing, central services and parking services.
Bartolotta drew some heat from city employees during his tenure when Vehicle Maintenance
Department employees claimed abuse and unsafe working conditions. The department's director
later resigned during a city investigation.
Some of those worker complaints led to the unionization of service employees earlier this year.
CHRIS MORRILL'S RESUME
WORK HISTORY
1999-present: senior municipal policy adviser for the National Treasury of South Africa --
United States Agency for International Development
1990-1992, 1994-1999: research and budget director, city of Savannah
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1997-2000: fellow, Kellogg National Leadership Program -- studied community building in
countries throughout the world
1992-1994: Peace Corps volunteer -- advised the city of Lviv, Ukraine, on finance, management
and privatization issues
1988-1990: senior management analyst, city of Savannah
1986-1988: senior budget analyst, Catawba County, N.C.
1984-1985: downtown project manager, Lynn, Mass.
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration, 1987 -- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Arts, 1984, political science major -- College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass.
Certificate in county administration, certificate in budgeting and financial planning -- North
Carolina Institute of Government
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Internet Research
Morrill, Christopher
Note: This research will be presented in reverse chronological order
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA)
October 14, 1996
GEORGIA BRIEFS
Author: From wire reports
City to be compensated for Olympic security costs
SAVANNAH -- Savannah will receive $57,308 from the Legislature to compensate for
nonpersonnel security costs incurred during Olympic yachting events.
``The request was passed by the state legislature earlier on, and the governor's office gave it final
approval late last week,'' said state Rep. Tom Bordeaux, D-Savannah. ``The city is getting
everything it asked for, which is a good sign for Savannah and its planning department.''
The money is coming from a $500,000 governor's discretionary grant fund approved by the
Legislature so cities hosting satellite Olympic venues -- such as Savannah with yachting or
Columbus with softball -- could be compensated for security costs.
Savannah's budget director, Chris Morrill, said the money is welcome, even though all Olympic
costs are already covered by the city's $88.5 million general fund budget for 1996.
``It's like getting a bonus at work -- you don't go out and spend it right away,'' Morrill said.
ACOG already paid Savannah $290,000 to help defray police overtime in a deal negotiated
earlier this year by Mayor Floyd Adams Jr. The city still incurred an additional $244,000 in
police overtime during the Games, although all of it was budgeted by city officials.
Savannah requested compensation for computers, police vehicle maintenance, bulletproof vests
and extra barricades and other items needed around the venues.
Research Completed by: Vanessa Garner
Colin Baenziger & Associates
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Appendix E
St. Johns County Resolution Thanking
CB&A for Its Outstanding Service
E-1
E-2
Appendix F
Required Forms
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM
For purposes of determining any possible conflict of interest, all firms, must disclose if any Okaloosa Board of
County Commissioner, employee(s), elected officials(s), of if any of its agencies is also an owner, corporate officer,
agency, employee, etc., of their business.
Indicate either “yes” (a county employee, elected official, or agency is also associated with your business), or “no”.
If yes, give person(s) name(s) and position(s) with your business.
YES______________ √
NO______ ________
NAME(S) POSITION(S)
Not Applicable
FIRM NAME: __Colin Baenziger & Associates____________
BY (PRINTED): __Kathyrn Knutson_____________________
BY (SIGNATURE):
TITLE: __Vice President for Operations____________
ADDRESS: __12970 Dartford Trail • Suite 8 _
__Wellington, FL 33414_________________
PHONE NO. __(715) 282-3595______________________
DATE: __December 10, 2012 __________
Page 60
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION
THE BELOW SIGNED FIRM CERTIFIES that it has implemented a drug-free workplace program. In order to
have a drug-free workplace program, a business shall:
1. Publish a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing,
possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace and specifying the actions that
will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition.
2. Inform employees about the dangers of drug abuse in the workplace, the business’s policy of maintaining a
drug-free workplace, any available drug counseling, rehabilitation and employee assistance programs, and
the penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations.
3. Give each employee engaged in providing the commodities or contractual services that are under quote a
copy of the statement specified in subsection 1.
4. In the statement specified in subsection 1, notify the employees that, as a condition of working on the
commodities or contractual services that are under quote, the employee will abide by the terms of the
statement and will notify the employer of any conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any
violation of Chapter 893 or of any controlled substance law of the United States or any state, for a violation
occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.
5. Impose a sanction on, or require the satisfactory participation in, drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation
program if such is available in employee’s community, by any employee who is convicted.
6. Make a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of this
section.
As the person authorized to sign this statement, I certify that this firm complies fully with the above requirements.
DATE: __December 10, 2012__________ SIGNATURE:
COMPANY: __Colin Baenziger & Associates__ NAME: ___Kathyrn Knutson_________________
(Typed or Printed)
ADDRESS: __12970 Dartford Trail • Suite 8 _ TITLE: __Vice President for Operations__
__Wellington, FL 33414_______
PHONE NO.: __(715) 282-3595____________
Page 61
INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
To the fullest extent permitted by law, CONTRACTOR shall indemnify and hold harmless COUNTY, its officers
and employees from liabilities, damages, losses, and costs including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, to
the extent caused by the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongful conduct of the CONTRACTOR and other
persons employed or utilized by the CONTRACTOR in the performance of this Agreement.
___Colin Baenziger & Associates__ __
Firm’s Company Name Authorized Signature – Manual
___12970 Dartford Trail • Suite 8, Wellington, FL33414 __ Kathyrn Knutson ____________
Physical Address Authorized Signature – Typed
__Same as above___________________________ ___Vice President for Operations __
Mailing Address Title
___(715) 282-3595____________ _ _(888) 635-2430 or (888) 539-6531______
Phone Number FAX Number
___(561) 707-3537_________________________ _(561) 707-3537 or (715) 282-3595______
Cellular Number After-Hours Number(s)
___December 10, 2012________________________
DATE
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