Sarasota Interim City Manager to step down

Interim City Manager Terry Lewis always intended to step down as interim city manager in early August and he told the Sarasota Observer Monday he intends to do so.

“It’s my preference I start retirement,” Lewis said. “It’s time for someone with more qualifications to take over until a permanent city manager is chosen.”

Lewis has informed staff and Sarasota city commissioners he won’t stay on in his interim post past Friday, Aug. 3, even though a new city manager isn’t expected to be picked until October at the earliest.

Lewis intends to recommend the commission appoint Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown to the interim post when Brown returns from a vacation on Monday, Aug. 6. Lewis always intended to be gone in August and he’s reserved a rental truck to take some of his belongings to his North Carolina home.

Sarasota city commissioners will discuss Lewis’ departure and a potential interim replacement during a meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota. The time of the discussion is unknown, however, because the commission will be meeting out of the sunshine to discuss other matters before the chamber doors are opened to hear the discussion that’s open to the public.

For more information, check www.yourobserver.com and pick up a copy of Thursday’s July 12 Sarasota Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].