Daytona Beach Shores commission votes to enter contract talks with interim manager Michael Fowler

Vice Mayor Michael Polites moved Nov. 25 that the commission authorize negotiations with interim City Manager Mike Fowler for a contract to be brought back to the full commission for approval. The commission voted 5-0 to direct the vice mayor to negotiate and return a proposed employment contract.

The action follows the resignation this year of City Manager Kurt Swartzlander. Polites, who led the recruitment process, told the commission he reviewed roughly 39 applications and said Fowler "has been not maintaining the city, but bringing it in a better direction" and that Fowler "embodies this, the City's image." Polites said he would move to appoint Fowler if a majority agreed, and then proposed the motion that was amended to authorize contract negotiations.

Commissioner Dimitsky, who said he served as the city's public safety director for nearly 25 years, endorsed Fowler and said he had watched the Public Safety Department "bloom" under Fowler's leadership. "There is nobody I could meet that would be better for us to have as a city manager," Dimitsky said.

Commissioner Card reported he had spoken with department directors and employees and said their feedback was unanimous in support of Fowler, describing staff as "100% behind him." One commissioner raised concerns about fairness to the applicants and whether names of applicants who are municipal employees are automatically public; City Attorney Becky said application lists are not published but can be obtained through a public records request and stated, "It is definitely legal" for the commission to direct negotiations with the interim manager.

During public comment, Sandy Kirk of Realty Pros in Daytona Beach Shores asked Fowler to outline long-range plans for the city. Fowler and staff said they are preparing an economic-development request for proposals and that staff is working on plans to use limited remaining land responsibly to improve quality of life.

The vice mayor said he postponed a planned resume-review meeting and that, if the commission does not reach agreement on a contract package, the commission will return to the selection process and begin interviews of applicants. Staff indicated the earliest the commission could consider a contract would be in January after agendas are finalized.

The vote to authorize contract negotiations passed 5-0. The commission directed the vice mayor to negotiate terms and return a proposed contract to the full commission for formal consideration at a subsequent meeting.