Managing a City in a Pandemic

By Norton Bonaparte, City Manager, City of Sanford There is no playbook for managing a city in a pandemic. From providing services to residents directed to stay home, to coping with sick employees, to closing City Hall to the public, everything can and does happen. This year’s coronavirus pandemic has brought great challenges and an…

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November 2020 President’s Message

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving, fellow FCCMA members! As we exit election season and transition to a very different version of the holidays than what many of us are used to, I am excited.  The election seemed to be the icing on the cake of an extremely difficult year for all of us,…

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Truth vs. Noise:  Can there be a Winner?

By Mike McNees, City Manager, City of Marco Island 50 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 mmcnees@cityofmarcoisland.com I recently had conversations with two residents who had become quite agitated for different reasons, but both based on intentionally propagated misinformation.  The other commonality was how those conversations ended; The first said “it’s just so hard to know…

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Professional Management Matters: Celebrating Indian Rock Beach’s 50th Anniversary

On November 10, 2020, FCCMA District VII Director Matt Spoor presented the ICMA Recognition Award to the City of Indian Rocks Beach Commission and City Manager Gregg Mimms in celebration of their 50th year as a Commission-Manager form of government. Left to Right: Commissioner Edward Hoofnagle, Vice Mayor Phil Hanna, Commissioner Diane Flagg, Mayor Joanne…

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Meet Emily Lewis, Deputy County Administrator, Charlotte County

How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?  I have been a member of FCCMA for just over five years.  I joined initially as an affiliate for professional development and networking, and to further explore my interest in public administration.  Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and…

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November 2020 New Members

The following membership applications have been received. If no current member comes forth with a reason why these applicants should not be approved as members, he/she will be invoiced for dues. Christopher Edwards, District II, Director of CRA and Economic Development, City of New Smyrna Beach, Affiliate Member; Gabriella Gonzalez, District VII, Master of Public…

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October 2020 President’s Message

Well, we have done it. We have hit the 42.67% mark of the program year. You may be asking why 42% is so significant, but honestly, in a year of unique challenges and opportunities, I just thought that this was a chance to celebrate the often-overlooked 42.67% milestone. To recap what I am calling “the…

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Professional Management Matters: Celebrating New Port Richey’s 55th Anniversary

On October 6, 2020, FCCMA member Matthew Campbell presented the ICMA Recognition Award to the City of New Port Richey Council and City Manager Debbie Manns in celebration of their 55th year as a Council-Manager form of government. Left to Right: Kenneth City Town Manager Matthew Campbell, Councilman Chopper Davis, City Manager Debbie L. Manns,…

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The Director’s Lottery

By Casey Lucius, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Marco Island 50 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145, clucius@cityofmarcoisland.com What does it mean to be a team? How can a finance director, a public works director, a police chief, a city clerk, and five or six other experienced, smart, and talented professionals work together to…

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October 2020 New Members

The following membership applications have been received. If no current member comes forth with a reason why these applicants should not be approved as members, he/she will be invoiced for dues. Tom Almonte, District VII, Assistant County Administrator, Pinellas County, Full Member; Rodd Hale, District VII, Assistant City Manager, City of New Port Richey, Full…

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Meet Dale Martin, City Manager, Fernandina Beach

How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join? I became a member of FCCMA following my appointment as the Fernandina Beach City Manager in December, 2015. Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member? I have been a full member of…

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September 2020 President’s Message

September has been an exciting month for FCCMA. I would like to thank all of you who participated in our Professional Development and Winter Institute Survey. Your feedback is incredibly helpful as we make decisions regarding our events and trainings. FCCMA always offers ethics training at the annual conference. Though we could not hold the…

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