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Tarpon To Discuss Replacing Manager More

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: June 27, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS -- City Commissioners all agree that Police Chief Mark LeCouris, the interim city manager, has done a great job addressing concerns and reviving morale.

Some commissioners, however, are questioning whether LeCouris would prove up to the job in the long run, given the state of local government finances here and much of the rest of the state.

Commissioners may consider retaining some help in the city manager search at their next meeting.

At a recent City Commission meeting, LeCouris advised he is willing to stay on as acting city manager for four to six months and then have commissioners evaluate his performance to determine if he should be allowed to serve another year.

This would allow the city to save about $13,000 a year and have continuity while weathering state-mandated budget cuts and the economic downtown.

At Tuesday night's commission work session, Mayor Beverley Billiris said there is no doubt LeCouris is popular and has done a great job since the resignation in late April of Ellen Posivach, who was city manager for nine years.

She still would like to see what type of applicants an executive recruiter might bring to the city, Billiris said, noting LeCouris does not have a degree in public administration.

Commissioner Robin Saenger said LeCouris' has proven himself to be the people-oriented administrator many local business people and residents had said they wanted. Nevertheless, she wonders if the skills he has cultivated as police chief will translate into the city manager's job.

Commissioner Susan Slattery joined in the praise of LeCouris' performance as interim manager. Before considering giving LeCouris the manager's job on a permanent basis she would want to know how the city plans to approach economic development, Slattery said.

Slattery has only been on the City Commission since the March municipal election.

Commissioner Peter Dalacos noted LeCouris, who often served as acting city manager during the last eight years, was not able to purse a degree in public administration during the last eight years.

While LeCouris has the experience to lead the city, Dalacos said, a recruiter might immediately disqualify him as potential candidate for the job because he has not earned those professional credentials.

For the City Commission, Billiris said, LeCouris "is our comfort zone." Commissioners, however, must venture outside that comfort zone because in the next few years Tarpon Springs may need an experienced individual with fresh ideas to get it through tough times, she said.

She is not eliminating LeCouris from contention but wants to see whom else the city might attract to the manager's post, the mayor said.

Commissioners will discuss whether to hear at its next meeting, July 1, from executive recruiting firms that might aid the search for Posivach's replacement.

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