At this point, if you don’t live in Century, you shouldn’t be able to receive a paycheck for managing the town.

One question I would have for any of the town administrator candidates is this:

Are you willing to move to and live in the Town of Century if hired?

The second quest I would express would be this one to the mayor and town council:

Are you willing to take the risk of hiring a town administrator/manager who may leave after 6 months, or a year or two, and losing the experience gained during that person’s tenure and having to start again from scratch? Wouldn’t it be easier and better for the town to establish with a qualified consulting firm for a very long time?

Hiring contracted consultants on an as needed basis would seem more economical than placing an executive on a payroll.

The Emerald Coast Regional Council (formerly the West Florida Regional Planning Council) can be hired for grant writing and management without even going through a bidding process.

And then there is the option of dissolving the town as a municipality and turning over all governance to Escambia County.

It is difficult to see how hiring an executive with salary (and hidden costs expenses of social security, Medicare, medical insurance, paid leave, mileage/vehicle expenses) is more economical than hiring consultants to meet the administrative needs.

Or Dave Murzin. He lives in Cantonment (and Jeff has moved off and teaches math in Navarre.). Dave won election and now actively works in economic development. Jeff tried.