Clermont council extends interim city manager's contract, tables executive search to allow possible internal transition

The Clermont City Council voted to extend Interim City Manager Rick Van Wagners employment and to pause the external executive-search process after more than an hour of public comment and council debate over the right path for leadership.

The council approved a renewal of the interim contract with two 90-day extensions (a 90 plus 90 structure) by a 4-1 vote. Council members who supported the renewal cited continuity for ongoing projects and staff morale; the dissenting vote cited concerns about formal city-manager qualifications and compensation.

At the same meeting the council tabled consideration of the RFP for Executive Recruitment Services and set a deadline of July 29 for the city managers office to present a written transition plan that could move Deputy City Manager Dan Mathis into the city manager role. That motion passed 4-1. Council members and several public speakers said the pause would allow the city to evaluate an internal promotion while preserving the option to resume a national search if the plan is not acceptable.

Public comments were mixed. Supporters praised Van Wagners short tenure and credited him with operational improvements. Citizen Joe Famasi told the council, "He found $2,100,000 owed to the city of Clermont from a developer," and urged the council to extend Van Wagners contract. Local business owners including Joe Zagami Jr. and developer Patrick Bianchi also spoke in favor, saying the interim manager and staff have become easier to work with and that city services were more responsive.

Other speakers and at least one council member pressed for process and accountability. Paula Hoisington asked the council to present a formal evaluation of the interim managers performance and to ensure consistency between expectations for the manager and for line staff. Mayor Tim Murray said he had raised concerns in private previously about whether the interim manager had formal city-manager experience; he voted in favor of the renewal after noting the realities of municipal hiring timelines.

Details and compensation: Council discussion referenced Van Wagners pay and benefits during the debate. Van Wagner said he declined city benefits and described his compensation package as substantially less in total cost than the prior city managers all-in cost. At the meeting councilmembers cited a past city manager total compensation figure in the roughly $263,000 range and said Van Wagner's base was in the neighborhood of $192,000 plus a vehicle allowance; Van Wagner confirmed he had declined benefits and said hed continue to do so.

What happens next: The council directed staff to return on July 29 with a written transition plan describing how Mathis could move into the city manager role, including timing and continuity for ongoing projects. If councilors reject that plan, the procurement process for an external executive search remains an option; if they approve it, staff may terminate the recruitment process and pursue transition steps.

Van Wagner responded to remarks during the meeting and told the council he is "100% interested in this job" if selected, and added he wants to be "a bridge to all the council," asking for a spirit of unity in public discussion.