Longwood City Council debates city manager salary structure without cap

The City of Longwood City Commission convened on March 17, 2025, to discuss various topics, with a significant focus on the compensation structure for the city manager position. The meeting began with a request for public records regarding the salary range for city managers, highlighting concerns about transparency in compensation practices.

City officials explained that there is an established pay band for all city positions, with the minimum salary for the city manager set at $155,006. However, there is no upper cap on this position, allowing the city commission flexibility in negotiations to attract the best candidates. This approach aligns with practices in surrounding areas, where some municipalities do not even establish minimum salaries.

Commissioner Shoemaker expressed concerns about the absence of a salary cap, arguing that it could lead to unreasonable compensation requests. He noted that many other cities have established caps for their city manager positions, suggesting that Longwood might be at risk of overspending. The discussion included a comparison of salaries, revealing that Longwood's city manager compensation is significantly lower than the average of $218,000 for similar positions in Seminole County.

The commission acknowledged the importance of competitive salaries in attracting qualified candidates, especially given the responsibilities associated with the city manager role. Despite differing opinions on the need for a salary cap, the commission agreed to consider these concerns in future discussions about the pay plan.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing dialogue about compensation practices within the city, balancing the need for transparency and competitiveness in attracting talent while managing budgetary constraints. The commission plans to revisit these discussions as they prepare for the upcoming budget process.