Dade City commission forwards six semifinalists to consultant for recorded city manager interviews

The Dade City Commission agreed at a workshop on Oct. 12, 2025, to forward six candidates to Sumter Consulting Group for recorded video semifinal interviews as the next step in hiring a new city manager. The recordings will be provided to the commission for review; the commission will then select finalists for in-person interviews.

Why it matters: The recorded-interview step narrows the applicant field without requiring commissioners to conduct the initial interviews. Commissioners repeatedly said they want a long-term hire and raised concerns about candidates’ short tenures and past departures, prompting several vetoes and a request that Sumter be asked specific, candidate-tailored questions.

Discussion and decision: Commissioners reviewed the applicant list provided by Sumter, noting there were 36 total applications and three internal tiers of ranking from the search firm. After discussion and some commissioners’ deep-dive research into individual resumes and local news accounts, the group settled on six names to be sent for video interviews and review. The commission’s selected semifinalists were listed in the meeting as Scott Moy; John Manning; Kimberly Meek; Jeff Shoebridge; Fred Ventresco; and Melvin Corrado. Commissioners also left open a possible seventh slot in case an internal applicant emerged.

Commissioners said they expect Sumter to conduct the video interviews, deliver recordings to the commission, and then return the names the commission wants for in-person interviews. “We will send these names to Sumter so that you can begin the video interviews,” Miss Van Ervin told the commission during the meeting. Commissioners agreed they (the commissioners) would watch the recordings on their own schedules rather than attend live video interviews.

Concerns and vetos: Several commissioners voiced dissatisfaction with the applicant pool and cited issues uncovered in background checks or news reports, including short tenures in prior positions and questions about how some candidates left former jobs. At least three candidates were explicitly described by commissioners as vetoed from further consideration during the workshop: Thomas Thomas, Michael Resaire, and Glenn Irby. Commissioners said they want Sumter to be asked targeted questions—for example about short tenures or experience managing a community transitioning from slow to faster growth—so the recorded interviews provide answers to specific concerns.

Public comments: Residents who spoke during the workshop criticized the search results and urged Dade City to find a qualified candidate who will live locally and remain long term. Margaret Angel said she was disappointed with the pool and asked whether there were “no qualified candidates out there that meet the requirements.” Brian Swan asked about the scoring reported in the packet and whether tier-two candidates had been reviewed; he was told that the full set of 36 applications had been provided. Burmese Thomas said she wanted a manager willing to “live within the city limits or around close by,” noting Dade City taxpayers should get local residency from the hire.

Process notes and next steps: Commissioners asked that a small set of tailored questions be submitted to Sumter by the end of the week so those topics are addressed in the recorded interviews. Commissioners also noted Sumter typically limits the number of recorded interviews it conducts (the firm’s materials describe up to 10), and the contract allows the commission to request additional videotaped interviews later if the initial set does not produce acceptable finalists. The commission staff and the city attorney explained the commission may terminate the consultant contract under the contract’s notice provisions if necessary. Sumter will return the recorded interviews and the commission will review them before scheduling in-person finalist interviews.

What’s next: Sumter will conduct and record the agreed video interviews and deliver the recordings to the commission. Commissioners will review the videos and then identify finalists for in-person interviews; if commissioners remain unsatisfied, they retain the option to request additional video interviews or to alter the search process.