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Tarpon to use headhunter to find city manager
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Published: May 10, 2008
TARPON SPRINGS - City commissioners will not reinvent the wheel when it comes to hiring their next city manager.
Noting the great success Dunedin had in recruiting its city manager, Robert "Rob" DiSpirito, Tarpon Springs commissioners decided to utilize the efforts of an executive search firm rather than conducting the effort in house.
When Dunedin was looking for a replacement for retired City Manager John Lawrence, headhunters found DiSpirito holding down the city manager's job in Oberlin, Ohio.
At their meeting Tuesday night, Tarpon commissioners decided to first choose a firm to serve as its recruiter. The company will be asked to hunt for city manager candidates from around the country.
Commissioners will interview representatives of the executive search firms before choosing one to conduct the city manager search.
Jessie Burke, a local resident who regularly attends City Commission meetings, asked commissioners not to close the door on local city manager applicants.
"We need someone who understands us," Burke said. In the past, the city has had "a plethora of managers who have not," she said.
After the firm conducts reference and background checks on candidates for the job, a list of the top five or 10 applicants will be submitted to the commissioners for their consideration at a public meeting.
Commissioners noted they have plenty of time in which to conduct the search since Police Chief Mark LeCouris is serving as acting city manager. LeCouris has served as acting city manager several times in the past.
LeCouris has asked he not receive any additional pay for serving as acting city manager this time.
Last week, Ellen Posivach resigned the city manager's job after serving the city for slightly more than nine years.
As part of her severance package, Posivach will receive three months of severance pay and retirement plan payments amounting to about $38,512. In addition, the city will pay Posivach for 101.6 unused days of sick leave, amounting to $49,311.
She can also qualify for unemployment compensation.
Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.
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