Longboat assistant town manager seeks a promotion

Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Mike Hein has expressed interest in replacing Dave Bullock as town manager.

Bullock, the town manager since 2011, announced this year his planned retirement in early 2018.

In a June 23 email, Hein told the Town Commission he would like to be considered to fill the role.

“I believe that my experience and my passion for this community make me an exceptional candidate to provide the leadership for this organization,” Hein wrote.

After being hired by Bullock, Hein began his tenure as Assistant Town Manager in January 2016.

Hein, 50, has more than 25 years of experience in public service. He was city manager of Tucson, Ariz., from 2005 to 2009 and most recently worked as the director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for Pima County in Arizona from 2009 until 2015. He has also served as deputy Pima County administrator and worked for the Arizona cities of Marana, Nogales and South Tucson.

Hein resigned his most recent post in April 2015, when his wife, Anne-Marie Russell, accepted a job as director of the Sarasota Museum of Art.

In addition to his past experience, Hein told commissioners, if selected, his time spent working for the town will benefit him in guiding forthcoming Key initiatives, such as:

• Finalizing assessments for the town-wide underground utility project.
• Executing the vision for the Town Center, which will include the $17 million Longboat Key Center for the Arts, Culture and Education.
• Coordinating planning and financing for comprehensive beach management.

"My passion for our community and respect for the capable team of town employees motivate me every day to help maintain the town of Longboat Key as the premier community we enjoy," Hein wrote. 

Commissioners this month discussed how to proceed with replacing Bullock. In a public meeting, Commissioner Jim Brown stressed the benefits of seeking local candidates who, like Bullock, understand the intricacies and nuances of overseeing day-to-day business on Longboat.

On Monday, June 19, the Town Commission directed Bullock to pursue Tom Harmer, the Sarasota County Administrator, as a candidate for the job.

Harmer’s annual salary is $207,625 while Hein’s is $115,000. The town manager's salary in Longboat Key is $180,000.

In late May, Bullock hired Isaac Brownman as the town’s new public works director, beginning in August. Brownman worked for Sarasota County for 17 years, most recently as its public works director and county engineer.

Current Public Works Director Juan Florensa will retire in early 2018.