Oman yet to announce a decision

By Robert Williams

Editor

Becker County Administrator Pat Oman was given the opportunity to take over as the city manager of Fort Meade, Fla. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, according to a report by Gary White of the Lakeland (Florida) Ledger.

The position has been offered to Oman, but he has yet to formally accept the offer. The Becker County Commissioners are in between meetings and are not scheduled to meet again until mid-December, when an announcement would be likely.

The Fort Meade City Commission voted 3-1 at a special meeting to offer the position to Oman after public, in-person interviews were held with Oman and one other finalist, Patrick Marsh of Port Charlotte, Fla. 

There were 22 applicants for the position, which were initially cut to eight and then four. Those four candidates completed virtual interviews before the finalists appeared in-person.

The former city manager resigned three months ago, according to the Ledger’s report. City Manager Jan Bagnall resigned in August after 2.5 years on the job. Bagnall was the subject of criticism of his performance from local residents on social media and was given a letter of reprimand earlier this year after commissioners learned he had signed off on the purchase of a fire truck without approval.

Oman, 56, has worked for Becker County since December 2021. He oversees 10 departments with 377 employees and an operating budget of $68 million, according to his resume. Among his accomplishments, he cited improving the county’s Standard and Poor’s credit rating from AA to AA+.

Oman listed his salary at $141,800 in his application. He requested a salary of $125,000 from Fort Meade.

The 3-1 vote to offer the job to Oman vote occurred during a period of transition for the Fort Meade City Commission as two recently elected commissioners were unable to weigh in on the decision as they had not officially assumed their roles. Their absence was part of the reason one commissioner voted against Oman’s offer.

Interim City Manager Maria Sutherland said the hiring decision timeline was driven by a clause in the city’s charter that limits the interim manager’s service to five months, which in her case expires on Jan. 21, according to the Ledger’s report. 

She also stated she wanted to leave time for contract negotiations to take place with Oman, and for him to give necessary notice to Becker County.

Oman estimated that it would take 45 to 60 days for him to begin the job after giving notice to his current employer. Commissioner Bob Elliott also stated Oman and the other finalist, Marsh, have both applied for jobs elsewhere and getting an offer on the table was necessary.

The Ledger reported on a comment Oman made about his current position. He stated he has enjoyed his time in his current position.

“I’m looking for something in the next 10 to 15 years of my career where I could advance another type of development,” Oman said.