Sarasota City Commission chooses to interview three companies in its search for a new city manager.

During a special meeting on Aug. 26, the Sarasota City Commission confirmed plans to interview three finalists for the city manager search. The firms on the short list include MGT Impact Solutions, Sumter Local Government Consulting, and Slavin Management Consultants. These firms were chosen after submitting detailed proposals that included cost estimates, service scopes, and additional information.

The commissioners expressed mixed opinions. While they recognized MGT’s extensive experience and reputation, opinions diverged on the second interview slot—two commissioners favored Sumter, while two preferred Slavin.

Learn more: Sarasota City Commission narrows potential firms to conduct ongoing city manager search

The commission opted to conduct the interviews via Zoom at a forthcoming special meeting, which has yet to be scheduled. “The main reason for interviewing them now is finding the fit,” stated Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich.

Tampa-based MGT Impact Solutions is noted for its success in executive recruitment, having sourced city managers for multiple localities including Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

Founded in 2021, Sumter Local Government Consulting is the newest firm in the running, currently recruiting for Dade City’s city manager position.

Slavin Management Consultants operates out of Norcross, Georgia, and has experience conducting searches for over 60 Florida municipalities.

Areas of Concern

Commissioners identified key concerns including the search cost, firm experience, proposed timelines, and presentation quality. MGT appeared as the most expensive option at $45,000, with a significant portion allocated to recruitment. In contrast, Sumter’s low fee of $18,000 raised questions about its capabilities, particularly given the firm’s lack of extensive experience with larger cities.

“I just think they are not capable of doing what we need them to do,” remarked Vice Mayor Debbie Trice, echoing concerns about Sumter’s ability to service a city of Sarasota’s size, estimated at over 50,000 residents.

Slavin offered a balanced choice, with a proposed fee of $25,722 and a timeline of 8 to 12 weeks for candidate selection. While Slavin has a 95% retention rate and guarantees a search redo if the chosen candidate leaves within two years, its presentation was deemed less appealing by the commissioners.

Ultimately, the commission decided to proceed with interviews for all three firms, acknowledging their respective strengths and weaknesses, despite not being completely satisfied with any option.

How Did We Get Here?

The search for a new city manager was initiated after the retirement of former City Manager Marlon Brown in October 2024. Doug Jeffcoat served as interim city manager until May 2025, when Dave Bullock took over the role.

Initially, the commission sought to narrow down a list of 47 applicants provided by Colin Baenziger & Associates. However, confusion and uncertainty led the city to discontinue discussions with the firm and seek new search firms.

While Colin Baenziger & Associates offered to continue using its candidate list, the commission chose to restart the process entirely, requiring all prior candidates to reapply.

Ella Thompson covers real estate and development for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact her at ethompson@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: City manager search continues for Sarasota City Commission

Key Information:

• Date of Meeting: August 26
• Finalists Considered: MGT Impact Solutions, Sumter Local Government Consulting, Slavin Management Consultants
• Interview Format: Virtual (Zoom)
• MGT’s Cost: $45,000
• Sumter’s Cost: $18,000
• Slavin’s Cost: $25,722
• City Size: Approximately 50,000 residents