But the process to find Sarasota’s next city manager is not as smooth as it could be.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: October 2, 2024
Host: In the City of Sarasota’s weak-mayor system, the city manager plays a key role. After Marlon Brown’s surprising retirement announcement, it looks like a not-so-smooth transition is ahead. Ramon Lopez is updating us on this.
Ramon Lopez: The search continues to hire a new Sarasota city manager to replace retiring Marlon Brown, a hiring complicated by the fact that the deputy city manager has eliminated himself from consideration.
In mid-August, Brown unexpectedly announced his retirement in a letter to the commission, marking the end of the first Black Sarasota city manager’s tenure. He agreed to remain in his post for two months, giving the city commissioners time to find his replacement. But his impending exodus is effective Oct. 15th.
Originally from the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Brown arrived in Sarasota in 2009 to take over as deputy city manager, becoming the city’s boss in 2021. Brown hoped that his deputy Patrick Robinson would get his job, saying he has the skills and smarts to get the job done.
But Robinson in mid-September told the commissioners he doesn’t want the top city manager job, at least for now. He said Brown’s departure schedule did not line up with his personal and professional timeline. Robinson said there were things he’d like to accomplish in his current role. And Robinson added that he wasn’t interested in serving as city manager on an interim basis.
On September 9th, the city commissioners held an initial workshop to provide guidance to staffers on how to proceed with the talent hunt. A second workshop was held Monday morn to move things along. Human Resources Director Stacie Mason says the process includes hiring an interim manager, possibly elevating a senior staffer, to serve for four to six months. It won’t be Robinson. She said “We do have a senior level director that is willing to take on the interim position.” No name was provided, but Mason said he is well known.
Mason also said the city is seeking other qualified candidates to take over on an interim basis. Mason will also start the process of finding a firm to conduct a national search for Brown’s permanent replacement. The commissioners would then select the next city manager from among the firm’s list of finalists. She said the executive search firm proposals will be available for review by the commissioners by the end of October, or beginning of November.
Mayor Liz Alpert told WSLR News that the search is on.
Liz Alpert: I think there’s some effort to in the interim, maybe get somebody internally and then to do a nationwide search. And it takes a little while to set that up. So the estimate was like anywhere from 4–6 months. So it’s going to be a while before that happens.
RL: Her election rival Ron Kashden said a nationwide candidate survey is the way to go.
Ron Kashden: I think even if we had the most talented individual in staff, and you know, they’re the ideal candidate, we still have to do a nationwide search, which is what the commission is leaning towards. That would give that individual credibility that we’ve vetted a number of candidates and they are the best ones.
RL: Mayor Alpert says she will miss Marlon Brown.
LA: I’m gonna miss him terribly. He’s been there since I’ve been there. He’s a great guy. He gets things done. He’s always cheerful, a visionary, and I’m gonna miss him a lot.
RL: This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm.