Fernandez retires: Reorganization in city manager’s office

 

BY PRU SOWERS

KONKLIFE STAFF WRITER

 

Long-time assistant city manager David Fernandez is retiring after 30 years working for the city of Key West, leading to a major reorganization within the city manager’s office.

 

Fernandez will, however, still be a fixture around City Hall. He will continue to work for Key West as a contract employee in the city Utilities Department, taking over for 15-year veteran Jay Gewin, who is resigning effective July 3. City Manager Bob Vitas said Fernandez, who spent most of his career in city government as Utilities Director, will oversee the progress of the city’s sewer and storm water systems upgrades and recycling efforts.

 

“[Fernandez] was responsible for a lot of the success we’ve had with the storm water management plan, storm water management improvements as well as our waste water treatment plant and our sanitary sewer collection system, which everybody else in the Keys is having trouble with. Our system has been in place for many years,” Vitas said.

 

Vitas said he will use Fernandez’s resignation as an opportunity to reorganize his office. While the city charter allows for three assistant city managers, Key West traditionally has only had two. Vitas said he will abolish the second assistant spot and not replace Fernandez, choosing instead to create a new position of assistant to newly-hired assistant city manager Sarah Spurlock. However, Spurlock will not take over all of Fernandez’s responsibilities.

 

“I need to rebalance and shift responsibilities. I’ve got to work out all the gymnastics, of course,” Vitas said of his reorganization plans.

 

Fernandez first came to City Hall in 1981 as Supervisor of Revenue. He left to work as Monroe County tax collector from 1983 until 1986 but then returned to Key West as finance director. He was named utilities director in 1995, where he served until named assistant city manager in 2008.

 

“This transition provides a continuity that is essential to the residents and visitors of Key West,” Fernandez said in a press release. “We are moving into a vital program to alleviate the historic flooding downtown. My experience and, frankly, my love of building this vital infrastructure will ensure continued progress for Key West’s utilities.”

 

Under Fernandez’ watch, Key West upgraded its entire sanitary sewer system, putting the city ahead of the entire county in protecting nearshore water quality. He oversaw the upgrade of the city’s wastewater treatment plant to meet and exceed advanced wastewater treatment requirements. Important storm water injection wells were also installed while he was utilities director.

 

“We’ve been ahead of the curve for many years and he’s been responsible for that,” Vitas said about Fernandez.

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