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****Financial Corner
**Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Program
The GASB 45 implementation schedule is well into the Phase 2 portion, with employers having annual revenues between $10 million - $100 million implementing in their fiscal year following December 15, 2007. Phase 3 employers with annual revenues below $10 million must comply in their fiscal year following December 15, 2008. Regardless of what phase your municipality falls under, GASB 45 is something at which all local governments in Florida should be taking a close look. If you are interested in receiving a quote for a GASB 45/Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) actuarial valuation or want to learn about funding options for your OPEB liability, e-mail Jeremy Button at jbutton@flcities.com or visit http://www.floridaopeb.com.
FLC to Hold Second “Institute for Civic Leadership” Seminar
The Florida League of Cities will hold the second of its 2008 Institute for Civic Leadership Seminars. The League is sponsoring these seminars for any municipal official considering running for a legislative seat. As a local elected official, you have a proven track record of civic involvement, seeking solutions to problems and dedication to public service. The League is proud of your service and wants to assist you as you begin your campaign for the Florida Legislature. This 2008 campaign-related educational seminar will be held on June 20, 2008, in Orlando from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. This seminar will focus on several important campaign issues. The seminar is free to municipal officials and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Even if you didn’t attend the first seminar, you may attend the second one. Please RSVP by June 6 to Rose Hall at (850) 222-9684 or rhall@flcities.com to reserve your seat. The League looks forward to helping you organize and run a successful legislative campaign!
2008 FLC Annual Conference
Mark your calendar for the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference to be held August 14-16 at the Tampa Convention Center/Tampa Marriott Waterside. Registration and housing information will be available in mid-May. For more information, contact Melanie Howe at (850) 222-9684 or mhowe@flcities.com.
2008 Florida Cities of Excellence Award Program
The Florida League of Cities is pleased to announce the fifth annual "Florida Cities of Excellence" Award Program. Nomination brochures will be mailed to all cities in mid-May. The goal of this program is to focus public attention on the countless good things cities do to improve the quality of life in Florida! Florida Cities of Excellence recognizes and honors outstanding city leaders and citizens, as well as cities for their excellent, innovative programs. Awards will be given in the following 10 categories: Florida City of Excellence Award, City Spirit Award, Mayor of the Year, Council Member of the Year, City Clerk of the Year, City Attorney of the Year, City Manager of the Year, City Finance Official of the Year, City Employee of the Year and City Citizen of the Year. The nomination deadline is August 11, 2008. Finalists will be announced in early October. Winners will be announced at an Awards Luncheon on November 21, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel. For more information, contact Mandy Stark (mstark@flcities.com) or Beth Mulrennan (bmulrennan@flcities.com) at the League office.
Citizen Advisory Board Training
The Florida League of Cities, the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium (CRC) and the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government will present training sessions throughout the year on Building Successful Citizen Advisory Boards and Committees. Upcoming workshops will be held May 22 in Orlando and May 30 in Tallahassee. These workshops focus on how to resolve conflicts and build relationships among and with advisory board members, citizens and elected officials. Participants will learn to channel conflict into constructive cooperation; solve seemingly impossible problems; save city dollars; build public, private and political support and utilize citizen volunteer time productively. Productive citizen boards and committees can provide the insight and energy essential for creating better communities. They help make important decisions, bring expertise and resources needed to address problems, and provide a valuable link to public and private groups and the electorate. Elected officials, administrators and other leaders who want their citizen boards and committees to be more productive are encouraged to attend. Contact Jan Piland (jpiland@flcities.com) at the League for more information.
City Clerks Annual Conference
If you haven't already registered to attend the Florida Association of City Clerks (FACC) conference at the Grand Naples Resort, don't delay! The conference will be held June 29-July 2. Visit http://www.floridaclerks.org to register. The cut-off date for early registration and for hotel reservations is May 28. You must register and pay to receive a housing form.
Green Municipal Initiatives
When Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis was sworn in as League president last August, he announced his platform for this year – protecting our environment. He said that “as municipal governments, we are in the unique position to implement and coordinate local initiatives that will lead to significant and real reductions in energy use and its impact on global warming.” As League president, he plans to assist Florida’s cities in becoming “Green Local Governments” and he asks that all cities in Florida embrace this effort. The League has developed a model resolution to use in this regard that President Ortis encourages all Florida cities to adopt. If you would like a copy of the model resolution, visit the League’s Web site, http://www.flcities.com, and scroll to the bottom of President Ortis’ welcome letter or contact Rikkia Rellford at (850) 222-9684 or rrellford@flcities.com. Also, please let Rikkia know if your city has already adopted the resolution. In addition, be sure to read the March/April edition of Quality Cities and the 2008 City Innovations Showcase (to be mailed in early May). Both publications feature information and articles about “cities going green.”
National Homeownership Month in June
June is National Homeownership Month, and as part of celebrating homeownership, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation will host events in Orlando including the Fifth Annual Lenders Appreciation Awards Gala on June 6 at the Peabody Hotel Orlando. The gala will showcase the successes of Florida Housing’s top-producing lenders in the First Time Homebuyer Program and others such as local governments, affordable housing service providers and credit counselors engaged in providing access to affordable housing. This event is free to local elected officials, participating lenders and affordable housing providers and advocates. Florida Housing also will host the 2008 Homebuyer Expo at the Orange County Convention Center on June 7. The expo is free for consumers and will match prospective homebuyers with providers of affordable housing and other housing services. For more information, visit http://www.floridahousing.org/expo or call Taylore Maxey at (850) 488-4197.
Early Bird Registration Open for 2008 Congress of Cities
Early bird registration is available online for the National League of Cities (NLC) 2008 Congress of Cities and Exposition to be held November 11-15, 2008, in Orlando. Early registrants receive a significant discount on registration and an early lead on requesting their top hotel choice. Register online today at http://reg.jspargo.com/coc08. Rates are $395 for NLC member cities. For more information about the 2008 Congress of Cities and Exposition, visit http://www.nlc.org. At the 2008 Congress of Cities and Exposition, attendees will learn to turn upcoming national changes to their city's advantage, share solutions to issues that matter to their community, and access the first-hand knowledge of 4,000 peers.
Annual Conference of Local Governments
The Florida Benchmarking Consortium (FBC) will hold its annual Conference of Local Governments in Orlando May 6-7 at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. The conference will feature a presentation by Ted Greenwood of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The FBC consists of approximately 40 jurisdictions that have joined together and developed measures in 12 local-government service areas including procurement, fleet management, water/wastewater, community development, code enforcement, police, fire, human resources, parks and recreation, information technology, road repair and stormwater. Preliminary information from the 2007 data collection will be shared at the conference. For more information, contact Marilyn Crotty at (407) 235-3960 or mcrotty@mail.ucf.edu.
Brownfields Workshop
Redeveloping brownfields provides many benefits including expediting the cleanup of contaminated sites; renewing local economies by stimulating redevelopment, creating jobs and enhancing the vitality of communities; and limiting sprawl and its associated environmental problems. Pinellas County is hosting a workshop, “Turning up the Green Through Brownfields Redevelopment,” on June 11 for local-government decision makers who want to know more about what the Brownfields Program can do for communities. The workshop will be held at the EpiCenter in Clearwater. Contact Teri Hasbrouck at thasbrouck@pinellascounty.org or (727) 464-7319 for more information.
"Good to Great" Strategies for Your Community
ICMA’s executive director, Bob O’Neill, is hosting a Web conference covering “Good to Great” concepts conceived by author Jim Collins. The Web conference will be held May 20 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT. One registration fee ($99 for ICMA members or $149 for nonmembers) lets your entire staff listen in via speakerphone. Visit https://event.meetingone.com/mo.cfm/en/page=frm.register to register or call (202) 289-4262 for more information.
Request for Information
The City of Winter Park is conducting a feasibility study of implementing a telecommuting work program. Does your city or county have a telecommuting policy, and/or research that you compiled for your policy? Please send any information and material to Carrie Woodell at cwoodell@cityofwinterpark.org or call (407) 599-3434.
Positions Open
All positions advertised in the Datagram must be division-head level or above.
City Clerk – City of New Smyrna Beach.
(pop. 21,000) Salary: $48,000 - $75,000 DOQ. Under minimal supervision, performs a range of routine to complex duties to assist the City Commission and the city manager. Approves occupational licenses and renewals. Serves as custodian of official city records. Supervises support personnel within the City Clerk's Office. Performs related work as required. Reports to the mayor and City Commission. Prepares and monitors City Clerk and City Commission department operating and capital budgets based on established procedures. Monitors and controls revenues and expenditures; procures supplies and equipment within budget allocations. Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field supplemented by three to five years of experience in progressively responsible related governmental administrative work (preferably city clerk or deputy city clerk), or a comparable amount of training, education or experience can be substituted for the minimum qualifications. CMC and AAE designation through International Institute of Municipal Clerks is desired. To apply, qualified applicants should submit résumé and salary history to: Ursula Moccia, Human Resource Assistant, City of New Smyrna Beach, 210 Sams Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. E-mail: umoccia@cityofnsb.com; fax: (386) 424-2109 or phone: (386) 424-2127. EOE/ADA. Veterans’ Preference. Florida Drug-Free Work Place. Applications are public record and subject to inspection.
City Manager – City of Ocala.
(pop. 52,000) Located in North Central Florida, the City of Ocala is a regional hub. It is the center of activity for Marion County and central to many of Florida’s attractions. Tampa is 95 miles south, Orlando is 80 miles southeast, Daytona Beach is 80 miles to the east, Jacksonville is 100 miles northeast and the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus is 40 miles to the north. Ocala is one of Florida’s historic and early cities. Surrounded by scenic countryside, it has the vitality and diversity of a much larger city. Named the county seat in 1845, it also has a rich history. It was established near Fort King, a military outpost in the Seminole Wars, and became incorporated as a city in 1885, four years after rail service reached the city. It was primarily agricultural and a citrus center in its early days. Some of that history remains today in Ocala’s downtown and in its charming tree-lined streets and exquisite Victorian and Tudor homes. But it also has progressed. Throughout the city and in nearby suburbs are newer developments of single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses and apartments. The county has become one of the major thoroughbred horse centers of the world while the city is home to a number of manufacturers including Emergency One, a worldwide designer and manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles. Retirees also have discovered the city and make up approximately 20 percent of the population. What makes Ocala special is that it is a great place to raise a family. It has a sense of community and if there is a problem, people get together and fix it. It is the kind of place where its native sons and daughters return when it is time to raise their children. The area boasts of many activities and housing prices are reasonable – the median home price is around $175,000. The schools are very good and area medical facilities are outstanding. Significant ecotourism opportunities are nearby. It also is widely recognized as a beautiful city and last year won the America in Bloom Award for Urban Forestry. The city follows the council-manager form of government with a few twists. The mayor is a non-voting member of the City Council, oversees the Police Department and is the titular head of the city. The council has five members and the council president presides over the meetings. The mayor serves a two-year term and is elected at large. Four of the council members serve staggered four-year terms and represent specific districts. One of the five council members is elected and serves at-large. The city manager oversees the governmental operations (except the Police Department) and reports to the City Council but not to the mayor. The elected officials are progressive and successful community leaders who have the best interests of their community at heart. They are fiscally conservative and serious about their role as elected officials. They operate in a collegial manner, share a common vision and are comfortable with one another. They can agree to disagree. The city provides all the normal services to its residents including police, fire, public works, parks, recreation, planning, building, zoning, water and sewer. It also has an electric utility, an airport and two municipal golf courses (18 and 27 holes). As with many municipal golf courses, these run in the red (about $400,000/annually). The city employs approximately 1,100 people. Its total budget for FY 2007-2008 is $351 million with a general fund budget of $63 million. Property-tax reform will have an impact but it is manageable. About $3 million in anticipated revenues will be lost annually. Overall, the city is in excellent financial condition. Its bond rating for general government is A+ and AA- for its utilities. It also has good financial reserves. As a regional center, Ocala’s daytime population is significantly larger than its permanent population and that presents its own challenges. Others include: Growth/annexation; redevelopment, improving intergovernmental relations with the county, developing the airport and property tax issues. Ocala has had three managers in the last 32 years and is, in other words, a very stable community. Both managers and elected officials tend to have long tenures. Ocala is seeking a progressive, proactive, knowledgeable, visionary and achievement-oriented manager. The person will have outstanding communications and organizational skills. Providing top-quality customer-service will be an important priority and s/he also will know how to instill a strong customer service ethos in the organization. S/he also will firmly believe in accountability. The top candidate will be ethical, creative, receptive to new ideas, flexible, forward thinking, responsive and outgoing. The person will understand his/her role as a manager and in executing the policies the majority of the council has directed. All the elected officials will be treated equally and given the same information. This council is looking for a leader, not a bureaucrat. It wants someone who will constantly test the system with an eye towards improving it. The person will not accept things at face value or as they are but will have with a healthy sense of skepticism. The individual also will believe in open government. Other important characteristics are experience managing in lean times, the ability to work with the media, and the ability to anticipate/resolve issues before they become problems. Good judgment and common sense are essential. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, public policy or related field, and seven to 10 years of increasingly responsible experience as a senior government executive; or a combination of relevant education and experience. A master’s degree is preferred. Experience with an electric utility is a plus. The starting salary will be between $120,000 and $180,000. E-mail your résumé to recruiteight@cb-asso.com by May 9, 2008. Faxed and mailed résumés will not be considered. Questions should be directed to Colin Baenziger of Colin Baenziger & Associates at (561) 707-3537. Applicants will be screened between May 10 - June 2. The council will select finalists on June 10 and anticipates conducting on-site visits to the finalists’ cities between June 11 - June 23. Finalist interviews are scheduled for July 7 - 8 with the next manager selected on July 9. Ocala is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages minorities to apply. Under the Florida Public Records Act, all applications are subject to disclosure upon receipt. Veterans’ Preference will be awarded under applicable Florida law.
Finance Director – City of Sanibel.
(pop. 6,321) Sanibel, an environmentally sensitive, sanctuary barrier island community, has a unique opportunity for a highly experienced financial manager, with a proven ability to supervise, manage and motivate staff; to safeguard and accurately account for city assets; bill and collect funds due the city; process payment of payroll and other expenses owed by the city; collect business receipt taxes; prepare the annual city budget for the governmental fund and enterprise funds; prepare a comprehensive annual financial report; handle special financial projects such as bond issuance; ensure compliance with municipal finance and taxation regulations defined by Florida statute; investment management; forecasting; provide timely budgetary and financial data to management, City Council and Sanibel citizens and ensure financial accountability and quality control. Experience in a Florida municipality and experience with HTE financial software or comparable system and an appreciation for technology enhancements strongly preferred. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in finance, accounting or public or business administration; supplemented by five years of progressively responsible administrative work in governmental finance, of which two must have been in a management or supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Candidates will be screened for interview purposes based on financial experience and training as it relates to the posted job description, success in cross-department coordination, and the ability to communicate in writing and make oral presentations to the public and policy makers for decision-making purposes. A complete job description is available on the city Web site. Salary range: $87,628 - $131,348. Excellent benefits include: health, dental, life and AD&D insurance; retirement plan; vacation, medical, administrative and personal leave; nine paid holidays; reimbursement for co-pay for an annual physical and cancer screening; causeway transponder; beach parking sticker and Recreation Center family membership. Position is open until filled. Mail or fax cover letter and an application or résumé with salary history to: City of Sanibel, Administrative Services Director, Attn: FD, 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957; fax: (239) 472-3065. An application for employment may be obtained from the city Web site, www.mysanibel.com. EOE.
See the April 15, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
Police Chief – Town of Juno Beach.
(pop. 3,644) Salary: $64,700 - $108,700. Closing date: May 15, 2008.
Finance Director – City of Sanibel.
(pop. 6,321) Salary: $87,628 - $131,348. Open until filled.
Proposed Water Production Superintendent – City of Titusville.
(pop. 44,020) Salary: $54,017 - $67,516.
City Attorney – City of West Melbourne.
(pop. 15,777) Salary: $100,000 - $140,000. Open until filled.
Finance Director – City of Winter Garden.
(pop. 28,440) Salary: DOQ.
(See the March 31, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
Deputy City Attorney – City of Boca Raton.
(pop. 85,488) Salary: $87,000 - $139,700. Open until filled.
Town Administrator – Town of Grant-Valkaria.
(pop. 3,800) Salary: DOQ. Open until filled.
City Manager – City of Madeira Beach.
(pop. 4,514) Salary: DOQ. Open until filled.
Finance Director – City of Minneola.
(pop. 9,440) Salary: $58,656 - $69,008.
Assistant City Manager – City of Tallahassee.
(pop. 176,336) Salary: $120,723 - $154,960. Open until filled.
(See the March 15, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
Director of Planning and Development Services – City of Deltona.
(pop. 85,000) Salary: DOQ. Open until filled.
Assistant City Engineer – City of Temple Terrace.
(pop. 24,500) Salary: $61,984 - $93,184 negotiable. Open until filled.
Redevelopment Director – City of Temple Terrace.
(pop. 24,500) Salary: $65,000 - $95,000 negotiable. Open until filled.
(See the March 3, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
City Attorney – City of Arcadia.
(pop. 6,617) Closing date: March 25, 2008.
City Manager – City of Bunnell.
(pop. 2,361) Salary: $65,000 - $100,000 DOQ/E. Closing date: March 18, 2008.
Human Resources Director – City of Deltona.
(pop. 85,484) Salary: $59,000 - $70,000 DOQ. Open until filled.
Deputy City Manager for Development – City of Eustis.
(pop. 18,401) Salary: $72,326 - $108,540 DOQ.
Assistant City Attorney –City of Lakeland.
(pop. 91,623) Salary: $61,000 - $113,000.
Executive Director – Leon County Schools’ Foundation.
Salary: $55,000 - $75,000. Closing date: July 1, 2008.
City Manager – City of Marathon.
(pop. 11,500) Closing date: March 25, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
Director of Tax Services – Palm Beach County Tax Collector.
Director of Human Resources/Risk Management – City of St. Cloud.
(pop. 30,000) Salary: $67,500 - $121,500 DOQ. Closing date: 2:00 p.m., March 31, 2008.
(See the February 15, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
City Manager – City of Bowling Green.
(pop. 2,892) Salary: DOQ. Open until filled.
Director of Development Services – City of Eustis.
(pop 18,401) Salary: $72,326 - $108,540 DOQ.
Director of Public Utilities/City Engineer – City of Eustis.
(pop. 18,401) Salary: $72,326 - $108,540 DOQ.
Planning and Code Enforcement Manager – City of Eustis.
(pop. 18,401) Salary: $52,377 - $79,794 DOQ.
Director of Finance – City of Fort Lauderdale.
(pop. 175,836) Salary: $95,326 - $145,018. Open until filled.
City Engineer – City of Hallandale Beach.
(pop. 35,844) Salary: negotiable DOQ. Open until filled.
Assistant City Manager – City of Key West.
(pop. 25,319)
City Manager – City of Marco Island.
(pop. 15,000 yearround; 35,000 winter) Salary: $150,000 - $180,000 DOQ. Closing date: March 1, 2008.
Finance Director – Village of Miami Shores Village.
(pop. 10,456)
(See the January 31, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
Finance Director – City of Cairo, Ga.
(pop. 9,500) Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 DOQ. Closing date: February 29, 2008.
Chief of Police – Town of Inglis.
(pop. 1,750) Salary: $34,100 - $46,488 DOQ. Open until filled.
Public Works Director – Town of Lake Park.
(pop. 9,113) Salary: $67,085 - $93,713 DOQ. Open until filled.
Controller – Town of Miami Lakes.
(pop. 27,292) Salary: $75,000 - $100,000.
Revenue Manager – City of North Port.
(pop. 47,770) Salary: $56,434.97 - $87,475.02.
Human Resource Director – City of Port Orange.
(pop. 56,067) Salary: DOQ. Open until filled.
Director of Animal Control and Code Enforcement – City of Port St. Lucie.
(pop. 160,000) Salary: DOQ. Closing date: March 7, 2008.
Director of Human Resources – City of Sanford.
(pop. 51,802) Salary: $64,721 - $103,554 DOQ/E. Open until filled.
Director of Smart Growth/Urban Planning – Sarasota County.
(pop. 380,000) Salary: $120,000 DOQ. Closing date: March 21, 2008.
Water Conservation Coordinator/Executive Director – Water Authority of Volusia.
Salary: negotiable.
(See the January 15, 2008, issue of the Datagram for full copy of the ads below.)
City Manager – City of Edgewater.
(pop. 21,770) Salary: $85,000 DOQ/E.
Controller – City of Fort Lauderdale.
(pop. 175,000) Salary: $72,654.40 - $105,206.40. Open until filled.
County Administrator – Monroe County.
(pop. 74,737) Salary: $107,000 - $150,000 DOQ. Closing date: February 15, 2008.
Personnel Manager – City of Palm Coast.
(pop. 67,832) Salary: $52,700 - $59,675. Open until filled.
Long-Range Planning Director – Polk County.
(pop. 600,000) Salary: $68,224 - $110,427 DOQ.
Finance Director – City of Winter Garden.
(pop. 27,045) Salary: DOQ.
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