CITY OF PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA
This is an excellent opportunity to live and work in a community with a small town atmosphere and all the benefits of a larger city. Punta Gorda’s economy is booming and the cost of living is well below the national average. The City is located in Charlotte County, which has the lowest crime rate in Florida. Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the area was investigated by Hernando De Soto in 1513. Situated approximately 100 miles south of Tampa with easy access to I-75, Punta Gorda offers leisurely, uncontested, and unhurried living. Charlotte Harbor flanks the northwest side of the city offering 129 square miles of coastline with fishing, boating, wildlife in abundance, and a friendly atmosphere. The revitalized downtown is very quaint and is located on Charlotte Harbor. Within the City there are four historic districts – three local districts and one National Register District. Punta Gorda, Spanish for "broad point" because it is a broad point of land jutting out into Charlotte Harbor, was originally a fishing village. Punta Gorda now is experiencing a dynamic growth period, with a population of approximately 16,591. The City covers a little more than 14 square miles. With an ever-increasing population, more amenities have found their way to the City: unique shops, restaurants, and golf, as examples. There is even an Eco-Tour of a local swamp for the adventurous. The Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center is home to nature displays, a butterfly garden, nature trails, and picnic sites overlooking the bay. Unemployment for Punta Gorda in April 2004 was 2.1%. The City of Punta Gorda operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is the legislative branch and the City Manager is the administrative branch of government. The City has a five-member City Council elected at-large for two-year terms to represent each of the City’s five districts. Elections are staggered, with three seats being elected one year and the other two the following year. The Council then appoints its own Mayor and Vice Mayor from the five City Council members. The City Council also appoints the City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Manager. Punta Gorda is a full-service city. Utilities are the largest revenue generators. The City budget for FY 2004 is $51,320,561. Punta Gorda’s City Manager is responsible for the proper administration of all affairs of the City. The City Manager has the responsibility to appoint, suspend, or remove any City employee in the classified service; prepare and submit to Council a complete report on the finances and administration activities of the City; prepare and submit the annual City budget; keep the City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City. The City Manager is required to reside within the city limits of the City of Punta Gorda. The City of Punta Gorda is seeking a professional city manager to replace the current City Manager who has announced his plans to retire. The successful candidate is required to have a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or Business Administration, with a related Master’s degree preferred. The successful candidate must be a strong leader with a proven track record in successful city management. This person must have experience in community development and redevelopment, have good planning and organizational skills, and be an effective administrator with a experience in finance and budgeting. It is important that the successful candidate have experience with small cities in the 15,000 to 30,000 population range. The City of Punta Gorda is looking for someone who will become involved with the community and make a long-term commitment to the City. The new City Manager of the City of Punta Gorda must also have these qualities: Be a participatory manager who is a consensus builder and who can develop optimum solutions and gain approval of them; Have high energy, be outgoing, and enjoy people. The starting salary is market competitive depending on experience and qualifications (current City Manager earns approximately $115,000 per annum). In addition, an automobile allowance and a competitive fringe benefit package will be provided to the successful candidate. Resumes should be sent by close of business August 29, 2004, to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 5579B Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #511, Atlanta, Georgia 30338. VOICE: (770) 551-0403; FAX: (770) 399-9749; E-mail: mercer@mindspring.com. The City of Punta Gorda, Florida, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Florida has a very broad public records law. Resumes and most written communications to City officials regarding city business are public records available to the public and media upon request. E-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure.