Century Hires Consulting Company At $7,500 A Month As ‘City Manager’
December 13, 2023
The Town of Century has hired a consulting company to act as a city manager for $7,500 per month to help Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. run the town.
The contract with Local Government Consulting Group of West Palm Beach, is effective for up to six months, plus any renewals. The town can terminate the contract with 15 days notice, or the consultant can terminate with 30 days written notice. Howard Brown, Jr., is the principal of the company, but the contract allows managing members Erin Connelly and Cheryl Harrison-Lee to work with the town.
The town accepted the city manager proposal after newly appointed Century interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. told the council that he would need help to properly run the town.
“I know that I am in over my head, but I don’t want the town of Century to suffer due to my lack of experience in this position,” Gomez told his town council a few minutes after he was sworn in in late August.
Months ago, Gomez asked the town council to consider contracting with consultant Robert Thompson of DeFuniak Springs, who he said was recommended by the Florida League of Cities. However, Thompson later accepted a job in Arkansas.
Gomez introduced Brown during a council meeting in November, telling the council that it was critical that quick action be taken to bring a town manager on board. He then pushed for a short-notice special meeting, less than 48 hours later, in order to hire Brown, but a contract was first developed by the town’s attorney.
Howard’s proposal states that he “has served as a City Manager with a national perspective, having successfully managed municipalities across the country.” and “My municipal government experience spans a diverse range of communities, including urban, rural, and suburban areas,”. His experience included village manager in Indiantown, Florida, city manager in Bell, CA, Muskogee, OK, and of Opa-Locka, FL.
Under the contract, the consultants scope of services includes:
- Attendance at Meetings of the Town Council. Consultant shall attend in-person all meetings of the Town Council.
- Operational Analysis: Consultant shall evaluate Town operations and provide strategic recommendations to enhance service delivery efficiency under the direction of the Town Mayor or designee.
- Financial Management: Consultant shall advise on budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal management to ensure sustainable town finances, as directed by the Town Council.
- Economic Development: Consultant shall formulate economic development strategies to drive business growth and employment, in collaboration with the Town Mayor and Council.
- Community Engagement: Consultant shall design and execute initiatives for community involvement, ensuring alignment with the Mayor’s vision and Council’s directives.
- Strategic Planning: Consultant shall create a strategic plan, working closely with the Town Mayor, designee, and the Town Council to encapsulate the Town’s long-term objectives.
- Policy Development: Consultant shall assist in crafting policies and administrative procedures in response to the Town Council’s legislative goals.
- Staff Development: Consultant shall conduct training programs for town staff as directed by the Town Mayor or designee.
- Legislative Support: Consultant shall provide expert advice on compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements as requested by the Town Mayor or Town Council.
- Project Management: Consultant shall manage specific projects as assigned by the Town Mayor or designee, with oversight from the Town Council, to ensure successful implementation.
- Performance Metrics: Consultant shall develop and maintain performance metrics, reporting to the Town Mayor or designee and Town Council on the progress and effectiveness of Town services.
Children’s Trust Denies 2nd Year Funding For Continued YouthFirst Century Program
December 13, 2023
The Escambia County Children’s Trust on Tuesday denied to renew funding for the Urban Development Center’s YouthFirst Century program.
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
In their application to ECT, UDC acknowledged that they did not have the cash on hand to operate under a cost reimbursement model. UDC approached the Century Town Council for help in early 2023. The town has provided the Century Business Center at 150 East Pond Street as meeting space, with upgrades such as lighting and an ice machine.
The Town of Century fronted $61,925 to The Urban Development Center to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, a public records request provided no concrete evidence of the payment.
ECT board member Dr. Rex Northrup expressed concern that no ECT funding is currently going into a North Escambia specific program.
“At least consider some meaningful contributions to needs in northern Escambia County,” board member Dr. Rex Northrup said of any future applications.
Tuesday, the ECT did renew second-year funding for 16 Out-of School-Time grants totaling nearly $4.7 million:
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast $630,088
- Central Gulf Coast Freedom Schools $215,045
- Chain Reaction $192,975
- Children’s Home Society $249,906
- City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation $540,041
- CMB Visions Unlimited $396,817
- Covenant Care $204,163
- Dixon School of Arts and Sciences $295,000
- Epps Christian Center $221,450
- James B. Washington Education & Sports $295,000
- Omega Lamplighters $156,975
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus $203,390
- Pensacola Little Theatre $85,000
- Pensacola MESS Hall $59,924
- SALT Ministry (Sisters Anointed to Lead Together) $12,629
- YMCA of NW Florida $906,561
A contract with The Children’s Theater program was non-renewed.
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council in early 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Century Residents Get Small Reprieve On Annual Garbage Rate Increase
December 13, 2023
Century residents are getting a small reprieve from an annual rate increase on garbage service.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
Republic is increasing what they charge Century by a CPI increase of 5.25%. The town typically passes that increase onto sanitation customers across the board — which could have resulted in an increase of $1.40 per month to $27.99, up from $26.59. But for this year, the town will absorb a portion of the annual percentage increase while keeping other fees steady.
Residents will pay the annual increase on Republic’s charge to the town –$17.10 total cost, plus the current curbside fee pick-up fee of $6.99 and the current year service fee of $3.35. While not specifically mentioned in the motion approved by the council Tuesday night, that should put a customer’s bill at $27.44 for a single can rather than an originally proposed increase to $27.99.
Speed Limit Reduction Set For Airport Boulevard In Pensacola
December 13, 2023
The speed limit on State Road Airport Boulevard between Davis Highway and Ninth Avenue in Pensacola will be permanently reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph beginning Tuesday, December 19. New signs depicting the speed limit decrease will be installed along the corridor, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
December 13, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled the Decembeer 14 planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
Canceling the meeting has been the norm this year.
The BOCC held a regular meeting on December 7 and will meet again on January 5.
Two Red Bulbs Placed on Wreath During “Keep the Wreath Green” Fire Safety Campaign
December 13, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed two more red bulbs on the wreath in 2023 following recent residential structure fires, bringing the current total of red bulbs to three.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a residential structure fire at the 2700 block of W. Belmont Street. Upon arrival, smoke was showing from the exterior of the home. ECFR located the fire and swiftly took action, bringing the situation under control by 6:07 a.m. There were no injuries or fatalities, but the occupants were displaced due to the damages, leading to the second red bulb added to the wreath. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined the cause was accidental, however, the direct cause was undetermined.
At 12:09 a.m. on Friday, ECFR responded to a residential structure fire at the 200 block of Henry Street in Pensacola (not Henry Street in Century). Upon arrival, a fire was located in the utility room at the rear of the home. The fire was quickly extinguished, limiting damages to the utility room and preventing any extension into the home. The fire did cause damage to the electrical panel, causing a loss of power and temporary displacement of the occupants. Due to the displacement, the third red bulb has been added to the wreath. The Bureau of Fire and Arson is investigating the cause of the fire.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 21 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in a residential home.
Escambia County Installs Four New Playgrounds At Parks; Four More On The Way In 2024
December 12, 2023
Escambia County Parks and Recreation has installed four new playgrounds this year at several neighborhood and community parks throughout the county, with four additional playgrounds planned for 2024.
A new playground and exercise equipment were also installed at the Escambia County Extension Services building, providing additional play and recreational opportunities.
The new playgrounds provide a variety of play features for children of all ages to enjoy, including slides, climbing structures, exercise equipment, interactive games, musical instruments, and more.
New playgrounds were added at the following locations in 2023:
- Aero Vista Park, 120 Marine Drive – Installed July 2023
- Avondale Park, 5809 Vestavia Lane – Installed August 2023
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road – Installed June 2023
- O’Connor-Colling Community Park, 552 Batten Blvd. – Installed June 2023
- Lexington Terrace Regional Park, 900 S. Old Corry Field Road – Installed July 2023
All of the new playgrounds replaced existing playground equipment that was outdated, with the exception of Extension Services, which did not previously have a playground. Additional playgrounds are planned for the following parks, expected to be installed by summer 2024:
- Garcon Bayou Nature Park, 55 Doug Ford Drive
- Harvester Homes I, 430 Belmont Ave.
- Lakewood Park, 670 Lakewood Road
- Westernmark Park, 751 Massachusetts Ave.
“We are always working on ways to improve our overall park experience for Escambia County residents and visitors, and providing quality playgrounds for children and families to enjoy is an essential part of that goal,” Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said. “These new playgrounds have already been well-used this year, and I’m excited to continue making improvements to parks and playgrounds throughout the county in 2024 and beyond.”
Public Can Now Reserve Parts Of New Navy Federal Recreation Center
December 12, 2023
Navy Federal Credit Union is now allowing members of the public to reserve areas of their Recreation Center.
A ribbon cutting was held in early November for the facility located on the west side of Navy Federal’s Beulah Campus along Nine Mile Road.
Reservable Spaces include:
- Pavilion
- Multi-Purpose Field (7v7 Soccer, Flag Football, Softball)
- Basketball Court
- Sand Volleyball Court
- Pickleball Courts (1&2)
- Informal Lawn
As of now, the community can reserve those select areas Monday-Friday from 5:30 pm to 9 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 6 am to 9 pm. These select spaces can be reserved up to 1 month in advance. QR codes are also located on signage in front of each space, taking users to the reservation link, availability calendar and feedback form.
The community is encouraged to check the reservation calendar for availability to ensure any reservations held are honored. Starting in early 2024, the public will be also be able to reserve those spaces during Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida School Grades Released; How Did Your Child’s School Score?
December 12, 2023
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) on Monday released school grades for the 2022-23 school year. For the fourth consecutive year, Escambia County earned an overall grade of “B”.
Four elementary schools earned an “F” — Montclair Elementary, Warrington Elementary, Lincoln Park Elementary, and the Global Learning Academy.
“These latest school grades come as no surprise, as we have been aware for quite some time about the changes the state was making to the grading formula this year,” said ECPS Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Because the number of components for each school’s grade calculation was decreased by four, changes, both positive and negative, were to be expected.
“Hopefully, next year, the state will go back to something similar to the original formula, so we can get a more accurate snapshot of the progress being made by our schools,” continued Leonard. “Make no mistake, we still have challenges, but we are more determined than ever to address those long-standing issues and work hard to prepare our students for their best possible futures.”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Hellen Caro Elementary – A
N. B. Cook Elementary – A
Cordova Park Elementary – A
Pine Meadow Elementary – A
Pleasant Grove Elementary – A
A. K. Suter Elementary – A
Molino Park Elementary – A
Kingsfield Elementary – A
Pensacola Beach Elementary , Inc – A
Jim Allen Elementary – B
Bratt Elementary – B
Scenic Heights Elementary – B
Beulah Elementary – B
R. C. Lipscomb Elementary – B
Blue Angels Elementary – B
Byrneville Elementary , Inc. – B
Bellview Elementary – C
Ferry Pass Elementary – C
Myrtle Grove Elementary – C
Navy Point Elementary – C
Oakcrest Elementary – C
Sherwood Elementary – C
C. A. Weis Elementary – C
West Pensacola Elementary – C
Reinhardt Holm Elementary – C
Longleaf Elementary – C
L. D. Mcarthur Elementary – C
Brentwood Elementary – D
Ensley Elementary – D
O. J. Semmes Elementary – D
Montclair Elementary – F
Warrington Elementary – F
Lincoln Park Elementary – F
Global Learning Academy – F
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Brown Barge Middle – A
Ransom Middle – B
Ernest Ward Middle – B
Ferry Pass Middle – C
J. H. Workman Middle – C
Jim C. Bailey Middle – C
Beulah Middle – C
Beulah Academy of Science – C
Bellview Middle – D
Warrington Middle – D
HIGH SCHOOLS
West Florida High – A
J. M. Tate High – B
Escambia High – C
Pensacola High – C
Pine Forest High – C
Washington high – C
Northview High – C
State Attorney To Review Escambia Commissioner’s Text Messages For Any Sunshine Law Violations
December 12, 2023
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden confirmed Monday that her office is reviewing text messages of Escambia County Commissioners after allegations were made that improper communications occurred in violation of the Sunshine Law.
“My office has recently received several inquiries, concerns, and allegations that communications between some of the Escambia County Commissioners which required public notice may have been improper,” Madden said in a release.
“The Florida Sunshine Law is an important tool for ensuring transparency and accountability in government. It helps to protect the public’s right to know and to participate in the decision-making process. Open government is the core of our democratic principles,” Madden continued.
“My office will be reviewing the allegations we have received, including all available government communications, to determine if further investigation is warranted.”