Sarasota commission approves interim city manager contract for Dave Bullock, excludes disability clause

The Sarasota City Commission voted May 20, 2025, to approve an interim city manager employment agreement with Dave Bullock, with a unanimous vote and an agreed removal of paragraph E (a three‑month incapacity termination clause). Bullock is to begin service the day after Memorial Day, May 27, 2025, subject to the final, reprinted contract signature.

Commissioners reached consensus during the May 20 special meeting to delete the clause that would allow termination if the interim manager were unable to perform essential duties for “three consecutive months.” The commission agreed that the remaining contract language would instead rely on existing charter provisions governing removal and the manager’s ability to perform essential functions.

The change came after questions from multiple commissioners about terminology and authority. Commissioners asked whether the charter’s use of “acting” versus the contract’s use of “interim” matters; city staff said that the charter uses acting but the commission agreed to use “interim” in this contract and consider a charter cleanup during the next review. Commissioners also pressed on whether the interim would have the authority to hire and fire city employees; staff confirmed the interim manager’s contract includes that authority, and commissioners told staff the language was intentionally aligned to grant that power for the interim assignment.

Bullock told the commission he does not currently hold outside employment and said he would recuse himself from any votes where a conflict might arise relating to his volunteer work. “I have no intent at this stage,” Bullock said when asked about sweeping personnel changes, later adding that any personnel actions would follow documented procedures and that he would communicate with commissioners ahead of significant moves.

Commissioners discussed operational details raised by Bullock, who said he plans to start May 27 and that he has limited absences in June for a previously scheduled commitment; he said he will designate Mr. Jeffcoat to act for him when he is unavailable. The commission asked staff to incorporate the agreed edits and to have Bullock re‑sign the corrected contract.

Why it matters: The interim city manager will lead day‑to‑day administration during a transitional period and the contract’s language governs how personnel decisions and short‑term absences are handled. Commissioners emphasized clarity around the charter, delegation and conflict‑of‑interest protections as the administration changes hands.

What happened next: Staff reprinted the contract with the agreed edits for final signature, and commissioners welcomed Bullock at the meeting’s close.