Bullock gets high marks from commission

Longboat Key Town Commissioners gave Town Manager David Bullock high marks in his first quarterly evaluation. Although commissioners wrote that it was too early to evaluate Bullock in many categories, the town manager received mostly fours and fives, on a scale of one to five with five being the highest, on the 49 categories in the evaluation.

Mayor Jim Brown gave Bullock a rating of four out of five in all 49 categories. “My comments so far have all been above average,” Brown wrote. “Mr. Bullock has not been on Longboat Key long enough to be completely evaluated. On the other hand, I have been very pleasantly pleased with the professional approach he has brought to everything he has tackled.”

Vice Mayor David Brenner gave Bullock fives in 27 categories, fours in 11 categories, and didn’t rate Bullock in 11 categories. Brenner’s comments included “Working hard to get his subordinates to work as a team,” “I know what he’s doing — no surprises,” and “Doesn’t hesitate to move ahead after he has thought through the issue at hand.” Brenner wrote that it was too soon to rate Bullock on many categories.
Commissioner Jack Duncan gave Bullock ratings of fives in 29 categories and did not evaluate Bullock on 20 categories. Duncan wrote that he had no examples so far of the qualities listed in many categories. He wrote that Bullock “seems to be everywhere” and “seems to have solid handle on the budget” and credited Bullock for meeting with approximately 100 citizens in his first 100 days.

Commissioner Lynn Larson gave Bullock ratings of five in 44 categories and did not rate him on five categories. Larson wrote: “I feel we have a town manager who ‘works for the town.’ He is open-minded and implements decisions made by commissioners elected by the citizens of this town. I look forward to working with Manager Bullock and trust his judgment until he gives me reasons not to trust that judgment.”
Commissioner Hal Lenobel did not evaluate Bullock but provided a written explanation: “I don’t think enough time has elapsed to render a fair judgment on the town manager’s performance evaluation. My personal association and relationships with Mr. Bullock makes tendering an assessment too premature to be of any value at this time.”

Commissioner Phillip Younger gave Bullock fives in 40 categories, fours in six categories and threes in three categories (for each of the “3” ratings, Younger wrote “insufficient info”). Younger described the town manager as self-confident without being arrogant and analytical and wrote that he has “effectively leveraged local non-LBK resources for the betterment of LBK.”

Commissioner Pat Zunz gave Bullock fives in 20 categories, fours in 24 categories, threes in four categories and didn’t rate him in one category.

“Mr. Bullock’s style is to observe and listen,” Zunz wrote. “He speaks up when necessary.” Zunz wrote that she has had more meetings with Bullock in his first 100 days than she had had previously and also credited him with making use of his Sarasota and Manatee county contacts.

The town manager’s evaluation will be discussed at a workshop at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

For more information, pick up a Feb. 16 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].