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Pinellas OKs Contract To Hire LaSala As Administrator

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By STEVEN GIRARDI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

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Bob LaSala

CLEARWATER - Almost 20 years after leaving Pinellas County government, Bob LaSala is returning as chief executive.

County commissioners voted 6-1 today to approve a contract to hire LaSala and replace interim Administrator Fred Marquis on Oct. 12.

LaSala, 59, was Marquis' chief assistant from 1979 to 1989 before leaving for other government jobs, most recently as city manager of Lancaster, Calif.

"In many ways, it's a coming home for me and my family," LaSala told commissioners minutes before they approved the contract, which had been offered a month ago.

Commissioner Karen Seel voted against the contract. She said she supported hiring LaSala but not all of the contract's financial terms, including the $225,000 annual salary. At a time when governments are cutting back, she said the compensation package "concerns me a little bit."

Marquis said the salary is within $1,200 of what Administrator Steve Spratt was earning before he was fired last September and replaced by Marquis on an interim basis.

Commissioners welcomed back LaSala in their first meeting with him since he was selected for the job. They told him he would be tested as budget cuts loom and in dealing with the divergent interests of the county and 23 cities and towns in Pinellas. Commissioners urged him to build relationships with the neighboring governments and find ways to work together.

LaSala said he would be receptive to consolidating in some ways, providing cities are interested. After the meeting, he said cities in California had some success in air-quality control, environmental management, law enforcement and fire protection services, and park and recreation programs.

He told commissioners he plans to meet with county staff and department leaders and hear their concerns. LaSala and commissioners were pleased he will have a six-week transition period with Marquis, who has agreed to remain until mid-November.

"This opportunity to hand off the baton here is just unheard of in government relationships," Marquis said. "When you replace administrators, it's usually because something has gone wrong."

Marquis led the county for 22 years before retiring in 2000, when he returned for a one-year interim term.

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