Politics & Government

Sarasota Considers Terry Lewis for Interim Post

Interim Sarasota County Administrator Terry Lewis is being considered as the interim Sarasota City Manager following Robert Bartolotta's departure.

Terry Lewis' interim status in Sarasota County might be lengthened thanks to an unofficial job offer by the City of Sarasota.

Lewis was contacted about the job during a brief recess at the city commission's afternoon session after it accepted City Manager Robert Bartolotta's resignation. 

The City Commission will discuss the appointment of an interim city manager at a special meeting set for 10 a.m. Friday at City Hall.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lewis is under contract with the county through Feb. 15 as new administrator . Lewis is also the former North Port Police Chief and former interim North Port city manager.

Commissioner Shannon Snyder had called Lewis asking if he would be willing to to fill in during the search for a city managet, and on the condition that he had the commission's full support.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's great we've had somebody else training him," Snyder told Patch, jokingly.

"The ideal choice is Terry Lewis," Snyder said, citing the community support and his reputation for overhauling agencies in tough spots.

"I think it offers the city a nice breather as we begin to move forward," he said. "It also offers an opportunity so we don't have to be rushed to find the next city manager."

Snyder has known Lewis for 25 years, as both worked for the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

"He is the consummate professional," Snyder said.

The proposal is being put off until Friday as Commissioner Charles Willie Shaw requested more time to think about the appointment.

"It was not that I was challenging his capabilities as deputy city manager as I spoke," Shaw said late Thursday evening during commissioner comments. "It was just the atmosphere of the moment would not allow me to think he would have been an effective deputy or interim at that time. There's nothing I find wrong with his capabilities, and I just want to acknowledge that.

Snyder said he cannot fault Shaw for wanting to be patient.

"As I've gotten to know Commissioner Shaw, his temperance is something I try to emulate a little bit more," he said.

Commissioner Paul Caragiulo had also made contact with Lewis during the recess and told the commission Lewis is the best man for the job.

"I believe it’s what is needed to stabilize the organization," he said.

Vice Mayor Terry Turner had said that Deputy Manager Marlon Brown would serve as the interim manager, but if there's a motion either way "I'm likely to vote for it."

No contract details have been revealed yet.

Lewis told The Herald-Tribune that he would have to be allowed to take a pre-scheduled family vacation to Paris arranged as a promise to his family after taking the Sarasota County job:

“A lot of things could happen but I would be more than happy to help out,” Lewis said. He added that he would only take the job on a temporary basis and would stick around until the city found a new manager, a process that will take months.

Lewis said he had just ordered a U-Haul truck to drive furniture from Sarasota to his family's second home in North Carolina on Sunday, plans that would obviously have to be postponed.

The move is eerily similar to how the when Commissioner Joe Barbetta brought up the suggestion after another candidate, . The commission voted to offer him the job after that discussion.

During that time he actually had a standing offer with the City of Sarasota for another post to trim the budget.

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"I think he would be uniquely qualified to take over the position at this time," said commissioner Jon Thaxton.

"If we have some time I’d might wait," commissioner Christine Robinson said, "but it’s either now or we don’t get him."

Lewis was contracted with the county for four months, but not to exceed six months. County officials are currently conducting a nationwide search to find a permanent replacement for Ley. 

The contract stated Lewis is not eligible for benefits, insurance or retirement. The county paid Lewis $553.85 per day and gave him access to a county car throughout his tenure.

During Lewis' tenure as interim county administrator, and by the county commission.

Lewis did not return a phone call seeking comment from Patch Tuesday evening.


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