County May Hire Top Leader

BROOKSVILLE - Tom Marko, one of three finalists for county administrator, stressed on his resume and in a telephone interview with Hernando Today last week, that he is a "can-do" man.
But for reasons unknown, Marko announced to the county early Tuesday that he can't do the job he was seeking.
Interviews with the three finalists for county administrator began Tuesday with the unexpected withdrawal from consideration of Marko, development coordinator for Miami-Dade County.
Marko gave no reason for his decision, which surprised county commissioners.
Marko was the first scheduled candidate to be interviewed. With his withdrawal, Commission Chairman Chris Kingsley adjourned the meeting for about 90 minutes, when the next finalist was scheduled.
During an interview with Hernando Today last Friday, Marko, 50, gave no indication he was planning to reconsider. He said he had a "burning desire to lead the community."
A five-person selection committee had short-listed Marko from a list of 30-plus candidates.
The two other applicants, Kathy Rice and David Hamilton, are still determined to get the job and on Tuesday, they stood before commissioners with smiles on their faces and promises that they could lead Hernando County as it struggles with its housing crisis and projected losses in revenue.
Both vowed to end the pattern of short-term administrators and indicated they were tough enough to endure the growing negativity residents have with their government representatives.
At 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, county commissioners will meet and decide whether Rice or Hamilton deserve the title of county administrator. They could decide to start the entire process over again.
As county commissioners said, they are in no rush to decide. They want an administrator who is here for the long haul. With the assurance from Interim County Administrator Larry Jennings that he will stay as long as it takes, their comfort level in waiting has increased.
After the public interviews Tuesday, county commissioners met with each candidate individually. The public got the chance to see how the administrator wannabes reacted socially during a public gathering later last night in the government center atrium.

David Hamilton
Current job: County administrator of Crow Wing, Minn.

Hamilton, county administrator of Crow Wing. Minn.,was frank about why he wanted the job.
He will soon be 59, and he is considering making Hernando County his last stop. He also said that he and his wife prefer the weather here to the cold of Minnesota.
He even made a five-year commitment to stay on the job, a promise that resonated well with commissioners who are seeking stability in the position.
Hamilton had done his homework. He was well-versed on the local economy, citing population growth dating back three decades.
He alluded to the need for judicial space and to the recently completed fire study that commissioners will use to streamline all six county fire departments.
As county administrator, Hamilton said he would visit the government employees where they work and familiarize himself with the issues.
He admitted already visiting a fire station off Barclay Avenue and talking with firefighters and looking at their equipment.
Hamilton said his strong suit is communicating to employees and making sure they are not blindsided during a commission meeting.
For example, negotiating a 3 percent cost of living raise for government employees turned into a major sore spot during this summer's budget hearings.
That could have been avoided if prior meetings had been held and the issue had been fully communicated to the public and staff, he said.
Commissioners spent 90 minutes interviewing Hamilton, compared to 55 minutes for Rice.
In a twist, Hamilton turned the questioning around and asked county commissioners what qualities they are seeking in an administrator. They were eager to reply:
"A thick skin, consensus-builder," Commissioner David Russell said.
"Someone who values our employees," said Commissioner Diane Rowden.
"Integrity and strong leadership," Commissioner Rose Rocco said.
"Two layers of thick skin and dogged determination," said Commissioner Jeff Stabins.
"Commitment to our community," said Commission Chairman Chris Kingsley.
Hamilton said he could meet those expectations and would manage in a nonconfrontational manner.
"You can't empower negative energy," he said.
When Rowden asked him what his first day on the job would be like, Hamilton said he would spend it out of the office getting to know the employees.
Back in the office, he said he would draw on Jennings vast institutional knowledge and build a strong organizational style of governance so there is a clear management hierarchy.
He said Hernando County's explosion of growth has prompted some tension that has led to confrontational meetings.
If chosen administrator, he said he would try to reverse that by heading off confrontations before they start. That might mean more community meetings and better publicizing of the issues, he said.
Rocco stressed she is looking for someone ready to take charge. Hamilton said he is that man.
"We'll see if I can stand the heat because there's a lot in the kitchen here," he joked.
Hamilton said continuity of leadership is vital in getting projects done and Hernando County has suffered by having short-term administrators.

Kathy Rice
Current job: assistant city manager, Surprise, Ariz.

Rice, assistant city manager of Surprise, Arizona, was more succinct in her answers, which probably accounted for the brevity of her interview.
She too said she was impervious to negativity and would be ready to hit the ground running.
If hired, Rice, 60, said she would listen to department managers, county commissioners and staffers to determine the priorities.
Then, it is incumbent on the administrator to communicate those priorities to the media and citizens to avoid future confrontations.
Like Hamilton, Rice said she can be tough when she has to. Both admitted they had to fire people during their careers.
However, both said firings are a last resort and that periodic informational meetings with staffers can go a long way in preventing blow-ups that lead to such action.
Rice said she makes $141,000 in her current job and would be willing to take a pay cut to become Hernando County administrator. Former administrator Gary Kuhl made $136,277.
That, she said, should prove her commitment to the community.
Rice said it is imperative Hernando County use technology to save money and increase efficiency.
Currently, the Teamsters Union has been meeting with county employees about the possibility of unionizing.
Employees cited higher raises this year for sheriff's deputies and firefighters, which have unions.
Rice and Hamilton said they didn't have an opinion one way or another on the subject. Both have experience dealing with unions.
Rice said commissioners may not be able to stop employees from unionizing because "people do things for money."
However, she stressed that government work should be more than about money. It should be about dedication to public service.
"Straight talk" with employees and department managers is essential to develop trust, she said.
Rice said her familiarity with Hernando County and Florida is also an asset. As deputy city manager of the city of Clearwater from 1989 to 1998, she said she was the city's chief lobbyist to the Florida Legislature.
She was also chief management negotiator when the city bargained with five unions.
Rice said Surprise, Ariz., mirrors Hernando County in its rapid population growth and is facing many of the same infrastructure funding problems.
Rice said the county needs to have developers help pay for infrastructure improvements. The biennial budget is also a means of looking ahead five years and prioritizing projects to manage growth, she said.
"I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly (and) I've seen what works and doesn't work," she said.
County commissioners will discuss the interviews at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville. At that time, they will consider making a hire or extending the selection process.