Scott Morgan seeks city post in Florida

Photo by Michael Woodward

Anderson City Manager Scott Morgan is one of five finalists for the city manager's post in Ormand Beach, Fla.

Morgan said Tuesday, Oct. 28, that he wants to move his family to Florida to be closer to his wife's elderly parents.

The Ormand Beach city commission plans to fill the vacant position before the end of the year, Morgan said.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported last Tuesday that Morgan is a finalist. The story states that interviews with all five finalists would take place Nov. 14-15 and a selection made at the city's Nov. 18 commissioners' meeting.

Morgan, 52, logged his 11th year as city manager in Anderson on Oct. 20.

"We support Scott in his decision; it's a family thing," Anderson Mayor Butch Schaefer said Tuesday. "We hate to lose him if that's the case."

In early August, shortly after returned from a summer vacation to Florida with his wife, Nancy, and two children, Addy and Will, Morgan approached a recruiter to find a job in the southeastern U.S. Morgan stressed that the timing of his announcement was not a reaction to Councilman Phil Burnett, who suggested the city could save $150,000 by doing without Morgan as city manager.

"The timing of my application to Ormond Beach in relation to Council member Burnett's recent comments is not intentional and purely, but perhaps unfortunately, coincidental," said Morgan in a press release.

Several other council members contacted this week also support Morgan's desire to be closer to family, although they said they will miss his leadership abilities.

"I don't want him to go, but if its the best for his family, then I wish him the best," said former Mayor and council member Keith Webster.

"He's not gone yet, by any means, although we have started the grieving process. By the same token, the cabinet is not empty," Webster added. "I think the world of Dana (Shigley, assistant city manager). She is very smart and capable."

Council member Melissa Hunt was shocked when she heard the news last Tuesday.

"Oh, my gosh," Hunt said. "We are really going to miss his expertise. He has been such an asset to the city."

Mayor Schaefer said the city would begin a search for Morgan's replacement only if he is offered the job in Florida and resigns his current post.

Dana Shigley, who has filled in for Morgan in the past, said she didn't want to talk about succeeding Morgan.

"Scott is still here, and so any discussion is premature," Shigley said.

Ormond Beach, a city of about 40,000 people, is just north of Daytona Beach. According to city documents, the city's budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 was $116.5 million, with a general fund budget of $30.3 million and 345 full-time positions.

By comparison, Anderson has a population of 10,600. It's total budget for fiscal year 2008-2009 was $15 million with a general fund budget of $5.5 million, and 64 full-time positions, which is down five positions from a year ago due to attrition and departures.

Before Morgan was hired by the City of Anderson in 1997, he worked in the City of Orange as Senior Assistant to the City Manager. His work on city finances during an economic recession led to significant budget reductions there.

Morgan said the experience was instructive.

"You'd better build up a financial position when times are good because the economy will cycle. I'm proud that Anderson is in a good financial position to weather the current financial storm. We're doing a lot better than other California communities."

Like many transplants to Anderson, Morgan said he wanted a thriving community in which to raise his children, adding "It was an exciting time in my family's life."

Schaefer credited Morgan for several accomplishments and developments in Anderson, not the least of which was Morgan's ability to keep the council focused on its goals.

Schaefer credited Morgan's instrumental involvement in projects including the Ox Yoke Road Annexation, Auto Mall Drive project, and Wal-Mart SuperCenter.

"Over the last 11 years, he's done a great job," Schaefer said, adding, "He's done everything he's had to do to make us self-sufficient and fiscally responsible to the people of Anderson."

When asked for a list of accomplishments during his 11 years as Anderson's City Manager, Morgan emphasized teamwork with council members and city employees on each front.

"What we've done has certainly been a team effort, starting with the council," he said.

On the city's accomplishments, Morgan was particularly proud of the transformation of Anderson Oaks Apartments into Seasons at Los Robles. The old apartment complex was closed in 2000.

"At the time, that was a very crime-ridden, dilapidated area," he said. "It was as bad as some urban slums I've seen in Orange County."

In 2000, a team of 75 law enforcement officers descended on the complex for a massive sweep of its occupants. The site was responsible for 20 percent of crime in the city, Morgan noted. Morgan also included the Anderson Teen Center and Shasta County Public Health building as well as the Southwest Redevelopment Project area among his list of favorite improvements in Anderson.