Friday, February 27, 2009

Marathon City Manager Clyde Burnett is not looking for a pay increase, but he is eyeing a two-year contract extension as the city's top employee. 

During it's general meeting Tuesday night, the council unanimously directed City Attorney Jimmy Morales to begin negotiating a two-year deal with Burnett to extend his tenure with the City of Marathon. Burnett was first hired by the council about 10 months ago on a one-year contract that pays him a base salary of $100,000 a year. 

"We have done many things in these 10 months," Burnett said. "There are many more things to be achieved." 

The transfer of power took place in Marathon last spring when Burnett took over for former embattled City Manager Mike Puto. Puto, a longtime resident of Marathon and former Monroe County Commissioner, had spent the latter half of 2007 and first half of 2008 sparring with the city council before he tendered his resignation. During that time period, an emotional meeting at the Monroe County Sheriff's Hanger saw Puto avoid being fired by one vote in a 3-2 decision from the city council. 

The hiring of Burnett was not without its own twists. Prior to working with the City of Marathon, Burnett was the longtime mayor of the nearby City of Key Colony Beach. Midway through a reelection bid, Burnett dropped out of the race to pursue the position in Marathon. 

Marathon officials spent a month soliciting applications for the city manager position, but ultimately selected Burnett. Since taking over, most of Burnett's most visible changes have been in City Hall. At the top, he eliminated the position of deputy city manager, and with it C.J. Geotis, citing upcoming budget concerns. 

The human resources director and a biologist were also cut to save on costs. 

"He has streamlined staff and slashed payroll," Councilwoman Ginger Snead said. 

Burnett also promoted George Garrett to the position of planning director to replace the outgoing Clarence Feagin. Garrett had previously served as a planner for the city, and prior to that was the marine resources director for Monroe County. 

"Some of my decisions may not have been politically popular with some," Burnett said "They were done because they were the administratively correct things to do." 

Burnett will likely have to make some more tough decisions this summer as the city heads into the next budget crafting season. Early indications point to another property value drop, thereby increasing the tax load on the average homeowner. Preliminary figures also show fewer people are paying their taxes as early as they have in previous years. That could steam roll into more non-payments of property taxes than expected.

"I think his efforts in cost cutting are improving," Vice Mayor Don Vasil said of Burnett. "He is going to have to come up with a budget for us this year that is second to none." 

In addition to the ever present wastewater installation program, Burnett will also be dealing with the future of the island of Boot Key. Late last year, Burnett put together a meeting of local, state and federal officials to help drum up support for a purchase of the mostly native island. 

"I stand ready to serve you and the City of Marathon to the best of my ability," Burnett said.