Patrick Kennedy, ICMA-CM

City Manager
Crescent City, Florida
citymanager@crescentcity-fl.com

Prior to my arrival, Crescent City applied for a grant to construct a boat ramp. The original budget was $400,000. The application failed.

The city submitted a new application and reduced the budget to $200,000. The application was successful. I took over just as they received the news. I found out, however, that the city reduced the budget but not the scope. We obtained a $200,000 grant for a $450,000 project.

Coming from a development services background, I knew that contractors can be more creative than the engineers. After consulting some local dock and ramp builders, I still bid the project with the engineers' design, but included an option for an alternate bid designed by the contractor. We received several alternate designs and completed the project within the budget.

 

Gaylene Rhoden, ICMA-CM

Town Administrator
Rib Mountain, Wisconsin
grhoden@townofribmountain.org

My first response is no. However, you could have asked me the same question years back, and I might have had a different answer. At the time, the dilemma probably felt like a hardship.

I am fortunate that I have been able to work with a supportive elected board the past 14 years. Yes, there were times I struggled and wondered whether public management was the right career path. I stayed focused, however, and tried not to get too wrapped up in emotions.

Our state senior advisers, who are members of the Wisconsin City/County Management Association, have been a tremendous help to me. As trivial or minor as issues may seem, it does not hurt to reach out to others for advice. I remind myself frequently not to take the position for granted.

As one senior adviser said to me, "Plan to stay forever. Be ready to leave tomorrow." I commend managers who have been able to overcome adversity during their career. It is important to take from them lessons learned.