The commissioners narrowed the field of applicants down to six finalists.
By Ed James III
Original Air Date: February 11, 2026
Host: The Sarasota City Commission took a major step yesterday in its 15-month search for a new city manager as the commissioners picked six finalists. If the ranked-choice voting by the five commissioners is an indicator, one front-runner has emerged. However, the path to the finish line was anything but smooth as commissioners clashed over the process of narrowing down a crowded field. WSLR’s Ed James III was at City Hall and has the story.
EJ: This search began back in October 2024, following the sudden retirement of Marlon Brown, the first Black City Manager in Sarasota’s history. Brown’s departure after 15 years with the city left a leadership vacuum that the Commission has struggled to fill. An initial search effort last spring publicly unraveled, leading the city to sever ties with its first consulting firm amidst concerns over transparency and a “floundering” process. After a “reboot” of the search last September with a new firm, Tuesday was meant to be the day the commission finally whittled down a field of 36 to a final six.
But before any names were called, Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch proposed a detour. Citing a desire for a more personal touch, Ahearn-Koch moved to postpone the selection, suggesting the board instead hold Zoom or phone interviews with the top 10 candidates this week.
She argued that meeting the candidates—even virtually—was essential before making a final cut. Commissioner Kyle Battie supported the move, noting he wanted to “get a feel” for the applicants. However, the motion failed in a three-to-two vote after Mayor Debbie Trice and other commissioners expressed concerns about the logistics and the fairness of individual interviews.
With the delay off the table, the commission moved to a ranked-choice voting system. When the dust settled, one name stood clearly at the top: Harry Black.
Harry Black: Former city manager of Stockton, California and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Black secured 26 points, the highest of any candidate. To reach this number, commissioners used a system where they ranked their top six choices from one to six. In this “instant-runoff” style of voting, points are weighted based on preference. This ensures that the finalists aren’t just the ones with the most “number one” votes, but those who have the broadest consensus across the entire commission—a critical factor since it eventually takes four votes to actually hire a manager.
Harry Black’s 26 points reflect that broad support. A seasoned executive and a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Black brings a heavy-hitting resume. He previously served as city manager of Stockton, California and Cincinnati, Ohio. Black’s background is steeped in data-driven governance, and he pioneered what’s called performance management. In the cities he has managed, he has overseen billions in bond transactions.
Chris Rodriguez is assistant city administrator of Washington D.C.
Rounding out the final six are:
- Chris Rodriguez, who received 16 points. Rodriguez is currently the Assistant City Administrator for Washington D.C., and a former CIA analyst;
- Kemarr Brown, who also received 16 points. Brown is the current Deputy City Manager of Homestead, Florida, with deep experience in South Florida municipal leadership;
- Troy Anderson, who received 14 points. Anderson is the Assistant City Manager for Wichita, Kansas, with a strong background in urban planning;
- Tim Gleason, who received 10 points). Gleason is the current Interim City Administrator in Davenport, Iowa and a former law enforcement officer;
- and Karie Friling, who received 7 points. Friling is the Executive Director for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Illinois.
The urgency behind yesterday’s vote is underscored by a ticking clock. Interim City Manager Dave Bullock—the second interim to hold the post since Brown’s retirement—is set to depart on March 6. At the end of the meeting, the City Commission, at the recommendation of Bullock, unanimously appointed Governmental Affairs Director Jennifer Jorgensen to fill the gap and serve as Interim City Manager after March 6 when Mr. Bullock departs and until a new City Manager is appointed and arrives.
The new manager will step into a “weak mayor” form of government. In the City of Sarasota’s system, the mayor is largely a ceremonial head who presides over meetings, while the city manager acts as the true chief executive, overseeing the day-to-day operations and the city’s workforce.
For WSLR News, I’m Ed James III.
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