During a special meeting on Aug. 28, 2017, the Brooksville City Council had a brief discussion on applicants for the city manager position. There was “extraordinarily good complements of candidates to consider,” said Lyndon Bonner, Interim City Manager. Council Members settled on 5 candidates out of the 18 who had sent in applications.
The short list consisted of:
Arrington, Amy E
Cannon, Bill Ed
Kutney, Mark A.
Walker, Dale M.
Whitson, William R.
These applicants received emails from the city on Aug. 29, 2017 informing them of their position in the application process and were requested to inform the city if they are still available for the city manager position.
Vice Mayor Erhard stated of Amy Arrington, “I like the fact that she had ten years in Davenport (FL) population 4300…” She also cited that she loves working with people and has a strong desire to improve the community. “The only thing I did notice is that she didn’t fill out the skills (section).”
Council Member Kahler emphasized that city manager experience in Florida is important. She said that many of the candidates on the list have no Florida experience and she remarked that several did not completely fill out the application. She explained that Mr. Walker did not fill out the affidavit authorizing the background check, “which I think is odd,” she said.
“I automatically disqualified anybody who did not take the time to completely submit the application. If they are already willing to not do what you ask before you hire them, then they are not willing to do what you ask after you hire them,” said Kahler. She did ask that Mr. Walker not be included on the short list.
Bonner will be devising an additional 15 questions to ask the candidates. He advised council to consider the long term aspect of the position. “You want someone that is looking straight ahead and will push you to go to the next level,” he said.
Additional details on the candidates will be provided as they become available.