Sarasota officials expect to hire a new city manager by April, after officials zeroed in on a Florida firm to help conduct the search.
City spokesperson Jan Thornburg said the search process is still being solidified, but finalists for the position, and the eventual hire, are expected to be named in April. Colin Baenziger & Associates, an executive search firm based in Daytona Beach Shores will facilitate the search. Sarasota had previously contracted the firm in 2012 to handle a city manager search at that time.
Thornburg said the City Commission will play an active role in the search, and commissioners will make the final hiring decision.
Former City Manager Marlon Brown retired in October. Doug Jeffcoat, the Sarasota’s longtime Public Works Director, has been serving as the interim manager. Brown strongly recommend Deputy City Manager Patrick Robinson to take the top job in his August retirement letter , and Mayor Liz Alpert called him “the obvious choice,” but Robinson declined to be considered .