The City

Incorporated in 1963, Tamarac is located in southeast Florida, 15 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and covers approximately 12 square miles.  The City has a population of 60,000 and a median household income of $42,100.  Originally planned as a retirement community, its demographics have shifted dramatically to a younger, more family-oriented profile.  In fact the average age has dropped from 65 in the year 2000 to 45.5 in 2008.  Crime is low, the schools are excellent and the housing stock affordable.  Properties range from single family homes (starting at around $150,000) to medium density multi-family.  The City is largely built out.  Although financially stable, Tamarac like all Florida cities, will continue to face challenges due to legislatively imposed limits on their ability to raise revenue to finance programs and services demanded by their communities and the current economic times.  

The Government

Tamarac’s government is progressive, stable and collegial.  Most of the elected officials are re-elected easily and serve the maximum allowed terms.  The City follows the council-manager plan and the current City Manager was appointed over nine years ago.  Commission/staff relations are cordial and characterized by mutual respect.  The City has a strategic plan and is working towards becoming a High Performance Organization.  Its goal is to win the Governor’s Sterling Award for performance excellence within the next three years.  The executive team is a strong, effective and cohesive group that works hard but also enjoys its work.

The City has approximately 400 employees with a general fund budget of $47 million and a total budget of approximately $100 million.  Reserves are strong and the City has a general obligation indicator credit rating of AA- from Fitch and A1 from Moody’s Investor Services.  Standards and Poors Investment Advisory Services has given the City’s underlying credit rating for non-general obligation debt an A- rating. 

The Department

The Financial Services Department has 17 employees covering the following functions:  (1) Accounting & Financial Reporting, (2) Management & Budget Services, and (3) Purchasing.  Overall the Department operates well and has a good staff.  The City has on the GFOA Budget Award for the last 11 consecutive years and the GFOA CAFR Award for the past consecutive 20 years.  The Management & Budget Services Manager position is currently vacant and the incoming director will have the opportunity to fill that position. 

The Ideal Candidate

The City is looking for a strong and knowledgeable manager with strong experience in budget and finance.  He/she will have a pleasant personality and a polished demeanor.  Strong analytical skills are a must as are strong people skills.  The individual will ask the tough questions and not settle for superficial responses.  He/she will be customer service oriented, whether his/her customers are fellow staff, city commissioners or the public.   The individual will work hard, work well with others and also have a strong backbone.  The City Manager does not micromanage.  He gives his directors clear assignments and delegates the responsibility and authority to accomplish them.  He expects timely and accurate results.  Hence the new director should expect to operate independently.  The individual will be tough but fair and have high expectations for his/her staff, but will also have a sense of humor.  While the environment is demanding and city’s staff members take their jobs seriously, morale is important and the City Manager, while striving for excellence, also wants employees to enjoy their work. 

A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or related field is required while a Masters is preferred.  He/she will have at least six years of progressively more responsible administrative experience in budget and/or finance and four years of supervisory experience.   CPA designation is preferred but not required.  The City will only consider those with extensive and recent public sector financial experience.  It also wants someone whose career is entirely in finance. 

Compensation

The salary range is $115,000 to $145,800, but the starting salary will depend on the successful candidate’s qualifications.  Directors also receive a car allowance. The City has an excellent benefits package that includes a defined benefit pension plan, excellent health insurance and other ancillary benefits and implemented a compressed work schedule in 2007.  Therefore, employees are scheduled to work M-F with alternating Fridays off every other week. 

How to Apply

Open until filled.  Applications will be screened as they arrive and a hire made when the right candidate is found.  Forward your resume to Recruit24@cb-asso.com as soon as possible.  Questions should be directed to Colin Baenziger at (561) 707-3537. 

Other Important Information

Under the Florida Public Records Act, all applications are subject to public disclosure.  Tamarac is an Equal Opportunity Employer and minorities are encouraged to apply.  This position is not subject to a residency requirement. 

This recruitment has been lengthy but sometimes that is what it takes to find just the right person.