Marlon Brown is just 60. City Attorney Bob Fournier also retires, as does his deputy.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: August 16, 2024
Host: Big turnover is ahead in the City of Sarasota: Three key figures just announced their resignations, including the man who serves as chief executive in the city’s weak-mayor system. Ramon Lopez reports.
Ramon Lopez: Sarasota City Commission meetings will look different in the coming months, as three key participants in regular city commission sessions earlier this week announced their departures. For years, the semi-oval shaped commission hearing table was anchored on the left side by City Attorney Robert Fournier. Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown sat on the opposite end. They provided the commissioners advice and answers regarding city matters. But the City of Sarasota will begin a transition to secure new legal counsel. This, because Fournier, and his deputy Mike Connolly, both told the city commissioners they would be retiring in February 2025. However, Fournier said in letter to the city commissioners that he might hang in longer as outside counsel, if need be.
Marlon Brown in front of a TV crew
Meanwhile, Marlon Brown unexpectedly announced his retirement in a Thursday letter to the commission, marking the end of the first Black Sarasota city manager’s tenure. His retirement is effective Oct. 15 of this year. Brown also offered to remain in his post for another two months, giving the commissioners more time to find his replacement. He hopes that will be Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson. Brown said Robinson has the institutional wisdom, operational skills, the right attitude, integrity, tenure and connections throughout the city to get the job done.
The sixty-year-old did not disclose the exact reason for this retirement in the letter. But he mentioned having to deal with ‘professional challenges’ and ‘life challenges’ that led to his decision. He said, “This is solely my decision, and no one else’s. Now after 31 years of government service, I can pause, reflect on my past, map out my future, and explore the next chapter in my professional career.” Brown told the commissioners that he fears that voices of dissent and negative discourse will overshadow the city’s achievements and jeopardize its future. “Be warned of succumbing to a loud vocal minority,” he wrote.
He is originally from the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. He earned a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech. He rose through the civil service ranks in Tallahassee then hired in 2005 as county administrator for Florida’s Gadsden County. Brown arrived in Sarasota in 2009 to take over as deputy city manager, succeeding Tom Barwin as city boss in January 2021.
Fournier
Among his achievements is gaining City Hall approval for his plan to build a city-owned and operated workforce attainable housing complex within the next two years. The proposal calls for two 12-story buildings with nearly 200 apartments, retail space and a parking garage. The apartments will house teachers, nurses, city employees, first responders and lower income retail and hospitality sector workers.
Fournier, on the other hand, has practiced law in Sarasota since 1980, and appointed city attorney in 2004. Connolly was named Fournier’s deputy a year later. The Sarasota City Commission this past Monday held a workshop to talk about Fournier’s replacement.
This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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