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Dade City Picks New Manager

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2008

DADE CITY - City commissioners Wednesday chose an eager, local candidate to be their city manager, passing on other candidates with more experience.

The commission voted 4-1 to negotiate with Billy Poe, assistant city planner for Zephyrhills, as their first choice for city manager.

"I'm extremely excited," said Poe, who's worked for the city of Zephyrhills for 5 1/2 years. "I'm looking forward to getting in there and making a difference in Dade City."

Commissioners chose Lyndon Bonner, interim assistant county administrator in Sumter County, as their second choice.

Poe, 31, grew up in Zephyrhills and has a master of business administration degree from Saint Leo University. Before becoming Zephyrhills' assistant planner, he was a special education and physical education teacher at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills.

Poe said he has learned a lot working with Steve Spina, city manager for Zephyrhills.

Spina described Poe as an energetic and innovative employee with good personal and business skills.

Poe's departure would affect Zephyrhills, though Spina said it would be a good move for Poe and Dade City.

"He worked in planning, but he did a lot of extra work for me," including helping negotiate a contract with the firefighters union, Spina said.

Dade City's search for a city manager began last year after Harold Sample announced plans to retire. Sample left July 1, and Jim Class, the city's finance director and clerk, has been serving as interim manager since then.

This is the fourth round of candidates Dade City commissioners have interviewed. They came close to filling the post twice, but money has been a stumbling block.

One candidate backed out after he and the city couldn't agree on a contract. Another candidate didn't want to take a pay cut.

At a special meeting Wednesday, commissioners agreed it was time for a decision.

But they debated whether to go with Poe, who has never served as a department head or assistant city manager.

Some saw Poe's youth and ambition as a benefit, though.

Commissioner Camille Hernandez, who opposed offering the job to Poe, agreed he is eager to learn but said she was concerned about his lack of experience.

Mayor Hutch Brock said Poe appears to be a competent candidate who is committed to the community.

As for his experience, Brock said Poe would have the city's experienced department heads as a resource.

"I think there will be growing pains with anybody," he said.

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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