TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Making The Cut

ADVERTISEMENT

MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: January 19, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - Who wants to be a county administrator?

Sounds like the name of a game show.

But for three people — Tom Marko, David Hamilton and Kathy Rice — it is more a reality show.

All three want to become Hernando County's next county administrator.

On Tuesday, they will be in the spotlight when county commissioners spend the day interviewing them publicly and behind closed doors. Later that day, Marko, Hamilton and Rice will do a "meet and greet" in the government complex atrium, where commissioners can see how the three react in social situations.

So who are these three people seeking one of the most visible political posts in the county? And, given the short tenure of past administrators, why do they want to pack up and come to Hernando County?

Hernando Today conducted phone interviews with all three and got some of those answers. All three are eager to come here and believe they can buck the trend of the revolving administrator.

In the end, only one will be picked. Whether it's one of these three or someone completely different, remains to be seen.

David Hamilton

Current job: County administrator of Crow Wing, Minn.

The wind-chill in Crow Wing was supposed to go down to minus 20 degrees Friday night.

That may be inducement enough to seek out the warm climes of Hernando County.

While dodging snowflakes and keeping warm, Hamilton said he has been boning up on the top issues facing Hernando County.

One of the biggest, he believes, is the loss of millions of dollars in revenue Hernando will face in the coming year because of less property tax money coming into the county's coffers.

It is imperative that the county prioritize its resources now to prepare for that shortfall, he said.

Hamilton, 58, said his strong suit is fiscal restraint.

As mayor and councilor of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario, in the 1990s, Hamilton said he built reserve accounts to $60 million earmarked for long-term capital and borrowing needs, while retiring all outstanding bonds.

He said he also worked with employees and city officials to revise Thunder Bay's $200 million budget, while still maintaining service levels for taxpayers.

Taxpayers, he said, have a legitimate concern about the economy and the predicted loss of revenue to the economy.

Fortunately, Hernando County has a high credit rating and, through fiscal restraint, he believes it will weather the storm.

"This is a time when good fiscal management (is) critical to the future success of the county," he said.

Hamilton said he encourages open communication among department managers and county commissioners because it allows for divergent viewpoints, which often lead to problem-solving.

He doesn't have a problem with managers getting together with county commissioners and vice versa.

As long as he is the last word.

"The county administrator is in the forefront of policy initiative," he said.

By nature, Hamilton said he is a happy person who doesn't allow negative comments to irritate him. He said he has a thick skin and is still sensitive.

"As a county administrator, we're in the solution business, not the problem business."

Tom Marko

Current job: Development Coordinator for Miami-Dade County.

Marko, 50, doesn't mince words about his desire to become top boss of Hernando County.

"I am a proven leader with strong leadership skills and a burning desire to lead the community," he said.

He has never attained the position of county administrator, but admits the time is right.

It is crucial that the county maintain a balanced budget this year because of expected revenue shortfalls.

"I don't think it's on a solid track," he said. "This is a blossoming community with expenditure demands, especially on the capital side, and not enough revenue coming in to pay for some of the infrastructure improvements that are coming."

To that end, Marko said he will stress that developers pitch in to help defer costs of new construction, such as roads and sewer lines.

Streamlining of county government is imperative, he said.

Like Miami-Dade, Marko said Hernando County is facing the challenge of state-mandated millage reductions, organizational change and fast community growth.

As senior budget analyst in Miami-Dade, Marko said he helped ensure that county departments achieved expected outcomes and he helped administer the county's annual budget cycle.

He also advocates a clear organizational approach to the county administrator's office and that the buck stops with him. It is unproductive, he said, for department managers and county commissioners to sidestep him.

"There needs to be a recognition that the county administrator is in charge," he said.

That may be one reason why Hernando County has gone through a series of administrators in so short a time, he said.

That doesn't mean that county commissioners cannot talk with department heads, he said. But without a chain of command, staff can become demoralized, Marko added.

Marko cites his "can-do" attitude for getting projects completed.

"I'm a what-you-see is what-you-get person," he said.

Kathy Rice

Current job: Assistant city manager, Surprise, Ariz.

Rice may live and work in Arizona, but she is no stranger in Florida.

She has deep roots here and even spent 10 years as deputy city manager for the city of Clearwater.

Rice, 60, said knows the area and the issues affecting Hernando County.

And she wants the chance to be part of Hernando's drive to the future.

She believes strongly in teamwork and building relationships among her staff. She has no problem with department managers going to county commissioners to discuss problems, as long as she is kept in the loop.

For Rice, it all comes down to trust.

"You have to trust your department heads to know what's going on," she said.

Like Hernando County, the population and commercial development of Surprise, Arizona has exploded, she said. Her community averaged 7,000 new home starts in the past three years.

She is responsible for managing eight city departments, 900 employees and a $450 million budget.

Her ability to manage that growth will serve her well as the administrator here, she believes. As county administrator, she plans to identify the county's priorities and establish a clear mission.

"If we know what the mission is, where we want to go and build a consensus, then we can get there," Rice said.

Realizing the tight budgetary restraints, Rice said she would look at how the county can look at alternate ways of paying for essential services. Developers may have to start paying their share for growth, she said.

In Surprise, she was involved in a complete rewrite of that city's code. She helped decide which services needed cutting and which needed to be included in the short- or long-term plans.

"There are other ways to raise revenue than raising taxes," Rice said.

For example, charging park user fees may be something to explore, she said. Residents would have a cheaper fee than a non-resident.

She also advocates using the Internet and available technology to purchase items cheaper and conduct business more efficiently.

Rice said she would work to produce an atmosphere where "business can operate efficiently and competitively."

To that end, she would strive to attract business here that will not close up in a few years. That can happen by offering more incentives to potential business owners and working on keeping and expanding existing business.

Rice said she is not afraid of controversy and negative publicity because it comes with the job.

"I have very thick skin," she joked.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT