TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Familiar Face Re-enters City Manager Fray

Tribune file photo

RICHARD READE, 36 who initially turned down the City of Port Richey, is again in negotiations for the city manager position.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: December 22, 2007

Port Richey, Fla. - Port Richey, Fla. - After the top three candidates for city manager declined the job, a familiar face may get the position.

Richard Reade, 36, the former city manager of Davenport, is back in the running.

Reade has also worked in two other towns in Polk County, Auburndale and Haines City.

Since 2004, the Sanford resident has been managing a land acquisition and development company.

At a special meeting Wednesday night, City Council members discussed hiring Reade, who earlier this month turned down the job to manage roughly 3,300 residents of Port Richey.

"I follow my ethics very strongly … and I didn't think it was fair or right to negotiate with two communities at the same time," Reade said during a telephone conference call with council members.

The comment came in response to a question from Councilwoman Nancy Britton. She asked Reade
why he was reconsidering the Port Richey position after previously declining the job.

In May, Dade City commissioners offered Reade the same position in the East Pasco town, for $85,000 a year. Contract talks stalled over benefits, including family medical coverage and retirement plan contributions.

"Unfortunately, it didn't work out," Reade said of the Dade City position.

"But I'm very excited about this opportunity," he added.

If Reade is hired by Port Richey he would replace interim City Manager Jim Mathieu, who is also the city attorney.

In August, Jerry Calhoun resigned the city manager's post and moved to Iraq, where he is helping organizing local governments in the war-torn country.

Calhoun was the city's fourth choice for the city manager's job here when he was hired back in 2004.

Speaking of Reade, Councilman Mark Hashim said, "I was impressed with him when he came in, but I am less impressed by the number of jobs he's turned down over time."

Although the City Council is moving forward with consideration of Reade for the city manager's post, officials are concerned he may seek employment elsewhere while further negotiations continue.

Council members went back and forth but finally decided to offer Reade a salary of $77,500 a year, plus a benefits package. Reade has asked for $83,000.

"That's something I'd have to sit down and talk about with my wife," Reade said during a second conference call Wednesday. Reade said he asked for the $83,000 salary because of the costs associated with moving his family here and trying to sell and buy houses during the current downturn in the Florida residential real estate market.

"It would be nice if we lay it in his lap and go from there," said Mayor Richard Rober of the $77,500 offer to Reade now on the table.

After a final discussion, however, council agreed unanimously to offer Reade up to $80,000 and is waiting for his response.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT