The town hires its first administrator, an experienced government manager.
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published March 24, 2004
REDINGTON SHORES - Donald Lusk signed a one-year contract Tuesday morning to become the municipality's first town administrator.
Lusk, 58, was unanimously appointed Monday by the Town Commission to the newly created position. On April 19 he will begin his job, which he describes as "an exciting adventure" - helping to guide the town through some major changes.
"First I need to learn about the town, the employees, the people and especially what the commission's goals are," Lusk said.
He expects to be particularly involved in the town's redevelopment efforts, burying the utility lines, and possible annexation of the Parsley mobile home park property, a large unincorporated area on Gulf Boulevard that is slated for redevelopment.
Lusk will be paid $60,000 a year, a $350 a month car allowance, a $1,500 one-time relocation reimbursement, an annual pension contribution equal to 10 percent of his salary, and the same health, dental and life insurance package as other town employees.
Lusk will direct and supervise all town departments, recommend personnel changes, coordinate town board meetings, oversee long-range planning and community and media relations, and work directly with the commission. The commission will continue to hire and fire.
"We're very excited," said Mayor J.J. Beyrouti. "He comes with excellent recommendations."
Commissioner Lee Holmes, who first suggested the town hire an administrator more than a year ago, said he is very happy with the commission's choice to fill the position. "This is the right thing for us to do."
Lusk, who lives in Tennessee, has a long history of government management experience. In the early 1980s, he was city manager of Pinellas Park, and has also served as city manager of Wilton Manors in Florida, and East Ridge and Spring City, Tenn. He was Collier County manager from 1984 to 1987. He last served as village administrator of Angel Fire, N.M., from 2000 to 2003.
