City Manager
Orange City, FL
(population 10,000)
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It is hard to find anything not to like about Orange City, FL. With an average temperature of 72oF, it is a small central Florida town about 45 minutes northeast of downtown Orlando and 45 minutes southwest of Daytona Beach. Traffic is virtually non-existent in the City and it is just a short hop to Disneyworld or to Florida’s Atlantic Coast beaches. Blue Springs State Park, a haven for manatees in the winter, is just to the west and Gemini Springs Park just to the south. The City has a new elementary school (800 students), a new middle school 1200 students) and state-of-the-art high school (2500 students) that will open with the coming school year. Housing prices are quite reasonable and crime is relatively low. Several universities are relatively close including Stetson which is just six miles north. A reasonably large hospital is within the city limits and is the medical hub for southwestern Volusia County. The community is diverse in terms of age as well as being home to John Knox Village, a life care and retirement center. The Council operates in a friendly, considered, respectful and collegial manner. The staff is good and takes pride in their community. Not only has the City been managed in a fiscally conservative manner and is financially sound, it does not have any unions. What it does have is small town ambience while providing world class opportunity. So what is there not to like?
History
Named for the thousands of acres of orange groves originally planted in and around the City, Orange City was incorporated in 1882. The first inhabitants of the area, however, go back much further and were the Timucua Indians. By 1820, due to war and disease, they had become extinct. Settlement began in 1874 when Dr. Seth French and six friends purchased about 5,000 acres of land and started the town that became Orange City. In 1875, H. H. DeYarman founded the first hotel. The City paved many of its roads in the late 1800s with concrete and granite. As a result, they are virtually indestructible and have not changed a great deal since then. The Big Freeze of 1894-1895 wiped out the citrus industry in Orange City and much of the rest of Florida. The Orange City Waterworks began supplying water to homes in Orange City in 1895 and its water was shipped worldwide. In fact, it even won an award at the St. Louis World's Fair for its excellence. Town Hall was built in 1928 at a cost of $20,000 and the bell in the tower weighs 517 pounds. During Florida’s recent growth spurt, while its population increased from 6,200 to 9,600, Orange City focused on commercial development and it is now the shopping hub for nearby DeBary and Deltona. As a result, although the City’s population is just a bit under 10,000, approximately 60,000 stop daily in Orange City to transact business in one form or another (shopping, dining and so on). Overall, 75% of the City’s property taxes now come from commercial properties.
The Government
Orange City is governed by a seven member council whose members serve staggered, four year terms. The Mayor and one Council Member are elected at large while the other five represent specific geographic districts. All members were elected at large until the last election (November 2009) when districts were first utilized. Due to the transition, some do not presently live in the districts they represent. As a result, it is likely the composition of the Council will undergo some changes in the 2011 election.
While the Council is still coalescing after the November 2009 election, it seems likely it will continue to be friendly, thoughtful and collegial. It recognizes some disagreement will occur concerning policy matters and Council Members do not take it personally when their position does not prevail. They also seem to genuinely like and respect each other and the staff. As a body, the Council is a fiscally conservative yet progressive group. It is sincerely interested in moving the City forward and is open to new ideas.
Overall, the City has been run well. It provides all the standard services including water and wastewater. Interestingly, it also contracts to provide fire services to neighboring DeBary and will shortly consider a contract to provide public works services as well. Financially, it is sound. While other cities were using new tax revenues to expand programs in the recent real estate boom, Orange City used its money wisely and not excessively. Consequently, not only did it not have to cut any positions but was able to give its employees raises in the current budget year. The City’s total assessed property value is approximately $550 million and it has a milleage rate of 5.35. The General Fund budget is approximately $8 million with 50% of the budget being allocated to public safety. The Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund budget is $3.5 million and the Capital Improvement Fund budget is $643,000. The City has almost $4 million in reserves. Excluding the City Council, the General Fund supports 80 FTEs and the Enterprise Fund 18 FTEs.
The Issues
Orange City is seven square miles but has the potential to be significantly larger. The first issue relates to Volusia County’s apparent goal of discontinuing municipal services. Nearby cities will need to annex these areas and to provide the services. The problem is how to pay for the services as it is doubtful, in Orange City’s case, that the revenues from these areas will offset the cost of the services. A next issue relates to the water and sewer utility. It first began providing water in the late 1800’s and parts of its water system need to be renovated. Additionally, much of the area is on well and septic systems. It is likely in the long run that environmental mandates will require areas to be added to the City’s system. Further, the St. Johns Water Management District has indicated that the City will need to replace as much as half of its water supply sources in order the protect the nearby springs and the manatee. Third, the Highway 17/92 commercial corridor needs to be revamped. A new sewer system is planned to replace the existing commercial septic systems and that is a first step. The fourth issue is bringing a sense of community to the City. Several of the neighborhoods have strong community associations but overall more can be done to provide residents with a sense of community. Fifth, the downturn has left some of Orange City’s newer and historic homes vacant and in foreclosure. Finally, the City is involved in an on-going law suit with a local solid waste facility over whether or not it should be allowed to continue to operate. Those are all the pieces. The real challenge for the new manager will be to operationalize the City’s desire to become a beautiful city.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be someone with a strong financial background and excellent communications skills. The individual will place a very strong emphasis on customer service and have a can-do attitude. He/she will be someone who will focus on how to accomplish what the elected officials, residents and businesses want done and not on the word “no.” The individual will be creative and proactive as well as outgoing and responsive with a friendly and winning personality. The next manager will genuinely like and respect others. She/he will believe in transparent government and in citizen participation. While being approachable, the individual will not be afraid of a fight. The next manager will realize that people want to help -- that volunteer resources are available and it is important to utilize those resources. The individual will be achievement oriented, involved in the community and focused on providing the best possible services at a reasonable cost. He/she will be fiscally conservative, business and resident friendly and analytical. The next manager will look critically at the services the City provides and how they are provided and then make changes as are beneficial. Experience with redevelopment and building a strong business community is also very important. He/she will understand the importance of being in front of issues and providing members of the Council and the public with more than adequate notice of changes that will affect them. The ideal candidate will be someone who recognizes Orange City’s potential as well as seeing it as his/her long term home. The City is not interested in those who are climbing the ladder or planning to retire in the near future.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in public sector management and at least four years as a senior manager, preferably as a City or Assistant City Manager. A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in administration, management or a related field is required. A Masters degree is preferred.
COMPENSATION
The starting salary range is $80,000 to $120,000. Placement within the range will be based upon the experience, education, and qualifications of the selected candidate. The City provides a comprehensive benefits plan and participates in the Florida Retirement System.
HOW TO APPLY
Email your resume to RecruitEight@cb-asso.com by January 4, 2010. Faxed/mailed resumes will not be considered. Direct questions to Colin Baenziger, Colin Baenziger & Associates, (561) 707-3537.
Schedule
Candidates will be screened between January 5th and February 9th. Interviews are anticipated to be held on February 19th and 20th with a selection made on February 23rd.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For additional information about the City, go to: http://www.ourorangecity.com. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, and veterans to apply. Under the Florida Public Records Act, all applications are subject to disclosure upon receipt and it is likely that the names of candidates will appear in the local newspaper. Veteran’s preference will be awarded under applicable Florida law.
