here - Satellite Beach

Courtney H. Barker, AICP
TAB 4
as the measurements are readily available and the performance measurement process does not
become a “job in itself.”
In terms of mistakes, I have made some in my career and have used each one as a learning
experience. My attempt at solving the City of Titusville’s Conservation Land Use mapping
problem to create a better process for developers while ensuring wetland protections was a
problem I have not been able to solve. I have learned that some problems become too
complicated over time, and getting a consensus is not always possible.
One of the more difficult aspects of being a manager is confronting employee poor performance
issues. Determining whether an employee can be rehabilitated or needs to be terminated can be
difficult. When I have had the unfortunate need to fire employees in the past, I have completed
the task effectively. I have dealt with the termination of “at-will” managers and lower level staff
members, in addition to having to complete lay-offs.
I see the immediate challenges for the City of Satellite Beach as being the following:
1. Redevelopment & Development. The Community Redevelopment Agency projects and
the development of the Pelican Coast property are immediate opportunities to raise the
City’s tax base, lower the City’s mileage rate, and provide some funding for services and
aesthetic improvements to the City. The City should combine these opportunities with
capital project needs, such as stormwater and pedestrian improvements.
2. Accomplishing Compensation Increases. The City’s employees have not experienced a
raise in over five years, while working hard to offset the deep budget cuts that the City
Council needed to put in place to meet declining revenues. I see an immediate need to
acknowledge our employees for their hard work during these years if Council agrees and
revenues allow.
3. Returning Resources to Departments. City Departments have experienced a decline in
resources in the past five years. An examination of the operational goals of these
departments to determine if they need an increase in resources or tools and processes for
efficiency will be necessary. Providing additional departmental resources while
implementing efficiency strategies will provide more effective services to our residents.
In the first six months of being the City Manager of Satellite Beach, I would accomplish the
following:
1. Meet with the Departments to become familiar with the staff members and departmental
goals, and tour facilities to become familiar with operations and needs.
2. Continue or establish a team meeting process for the Department Heads and myself to
discuss citywide issues and needs.
3. Meet with Council members to become more familiar with Council goals and priorities.
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