Music to Our Ears

You may be wondering how Ricky is doing in Ocala, Florida. Well, here is a link to an interview he did for the news. The video is on the top right, just wait for the commercial to end.



http://city-manager-news.newslib.com/story/683-3242890/


Here is a newspaper article as well. I will keep you posted as to any future news.

As Ocala‘s new manager begins job, retirement of veteran staff is a concern
By Jessica GreeneStar-Banner
Published: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 6:19 a.m.
OCALA — New City Manager Ricky Horst stepped into his Ocala career on Monday full of optimism and looking for leadership.
Impressed with his proven ability to ignite economic development, the City Council voted unanimously to hire Horst in July. Horst, a father of six, ran the city of South Jordan, Utah, for the past nine years. During his tenure the town's tax-base increased from $700,000 to $7 million, and its population almost doubled, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
Horst now plans to draw on that experience to bring growth to Ocala. Monday was his first day as the city's top administrator.
"It was exciting," he said of the day, which began at 6:30 a.m. and was filled with employee meetings. Horst noted that many employees expressed concern over the uncertainty that his new leadership brings.
"I bet 99 percent of our employees will buy into effective, positive change," he said.
Many of those employees, however, will soon be leaving. In March, city leaders identified an early retirement program as a top strategy in tackling its projected $7 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. The program targeted 160 eligible employees in hopes that at least 50 would bite. Three department heads and Assistant City Manager Bill Looney are among the 79 employees who did. The city currently has 1,100 employees.
"A lot of institutional knowledge is going to go out the door," Horst said. So he plans to meet with all 79 aspiring retirees while he can, he said.
"It's a great opportunity for them to say ‘this is what's really on my mind,' " he said.
Some of the positions will be replaced. Many will not. And the vacancies present Horst with the challenge of streamlining city operations.
In addition to the void left by the retirements, the top two positions at Ocala Electric Utility have been vacant for more than four months. Horst established filling the OEU directorship as a top-priority while he was still interviewing for the city manager position.
And although Monday was his first official day on the payroll, Horst has been reviewing candidates for several weeks.
"I think what we need is an administrator that can use the electric utility to help the city realize its vision."
That administrator may be Matthew Brower, currently city manager of Santa Clara, Utah. Horst interviewed Brower on Tuesday and named him a lead candidate. Like the city of Ocala, Santa Clara also operates its own utilities company.
"We may know something by the end of the week," he said regarding the director's position.
Jessica Greene may be reached at 732-7159 or jessica.greene@starbanner.com.