The Next Key West City Manager?

The City Manager is expected to bring professional expertise to accomplish directives of Commissioners.   Ideally, the City Manager provides stability. Commissioners serve four-year terms, subject to change every two years.

Key West has struggled to appoint a Manager lasting longer than a Commissioner’s term.  Since 1945, Key West has selected 26 City Managers, an average of only three years.  Only one has served five years consecutively.  We must do a better job in retaining our City Manager.

A new era for City government is upon us.  Four new commissioners and the unexplained termination of Al Childress after fourteen months point to the need to come together.  A termination, mostly by lame duck commissioners, despite positive reviews and a public outcry against the termination.  

Why such high turnover in this vital role?  How can we do better?  

We need a City Manager built to last, an experienced leader who can withstand public scrutiny and immense pressure from entrenched interests.  The individual must bring a high degree of integrity, fairness and experience to the City’s decisions.  All the while balancing the priorities of commissioners and a distrustful public.  The next City Manager must have the skills to steer government while building a better Key West for all.

The 2024 City Manager selection process has been handled internally.  The previous process used an outside executive search firm.  The position was advertised mid-August and applications accepted through late September.  A screening advisory committee was appointed and narrowed 17 applications to 5 candidates in one 35 minute meeting.  All five candidates are accomplished individuals, have strong local ties, but none meet the Commission’s preference of five years of local government experience at the City Manager level. 

Will we do better?  Unify behind one of the finalists and require additional training and certification?  Enhance our code of ethics and conflict of interest ordinances to avoid another swift termination without cause?  Reopen the process and hope for a deeper pool of experienced candidates? 

In this season of thanks, giving, and hope, I remain positive that Key West will do better.

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