West Melbourne may hire Tim Rhode as city manager; Daniel Batcheldor to leave City Council
Assistant West Melbourne City Manager Tim Rhode is in line for promotion to replace retiring City Manager Scott Morgan, who will step down at the end of August.
Tuesday night, the West Melbourne City Council chose Rhode over a field of 43 external applicants to become the next city manager.
"Our internal candidate for city manager is my No. 1 pick," Mayor Hal Rose said.
Rhode has worked for the city since September, managing day-to-day operations of the public works and human resources departments. Previously, he was the chief administrator at five smaller communities in Wisconsin and Iowa.
Next, West Melbourne officials will conduct a thorough background check and enter employment contract negotiations with Rhode.
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In another move, Council Member Daniel Batcheldor plans to move to upstate New York. He was elected in November 2018, and he has resigned, effective June 1.
The remaining six City Council members will appoint a replacement to fulfill the remainder of his unexpired term, which lasts through Nov. 22.
"Our family has decided to relocate for personal reasons, and our decision is in no way a reflection on the city of West Melbourne," Batcheldor said while announcing his resignation during the April 19 City Council meeting.
"The city is run incredibly well, with a dedicated and talented staff providing the best services that it is possible to deliver," Batcheldor said.
West Melbourne residents have until 5 p.m. May 30 to apply to replace Batcheldor. Hopefuls must be fingerprinted and submit a notarized application, authorization for a criminal history check, and a current résumé.
The City Council is scheduled to appoint Batcheldor's replacement on June 7. To apply, contact City Clerk Cynthia Hanscom at 321-837-7774 or chanscom@westmelbourne.gov.
What's more, Police Chief Richard Wiley will retire at the end of September, Morgan said. A recruitment brochure will be released soon to attract applicants, and a new police chief should be on the job by Oct. 1.
"My retirement and the chief's retirement had been planned for a long time," Morgan said.
"I think it's exciting for some new blood to come in and provide some additional reinvigoration of the organization and the community," Morgan said. "We're trying to leave it better than we found it, which I think is pretty clear. And then, (for) the next people to take it to the next level is the goal."
Measuring 10.76 square miles, the population of fast-growing West Melbourne has swelled from 18,355 residents in 2010 to 28,127 residents today.
"West Melbourne is the long-standing fastest-growing municipality by percentage in Brevard County, and among the top quintile in Florida. It is now 80% built out, and a comprehensive plan update is currently underway, with an ultimate city population projection of 41,000 around 2035," the city manager application brochure said.
The city employs 141 full-time and six part-time workers, with a $47.9 million total annual budget. Major future projects include:
Construction of three planned mixed-use developments at Space Coast Town Center west of Interstate 95.
Planning for a new water plant slated to debut in 2026, replacing the city's water supply agreement with neighboring Melbourne.
Possible formation of a fire department, with a potential 2025 target date.
The advertised city manager salary range is $105,607 to $168,972, and benefits include a city vehicle for business and personal use, and a monthly $250 business expense allowance.
Morgan — who has worked in city and county government since 1978 — previously served as city manager of Anderson, California, from 1997 to 2009.
He started on the job in West Melbourne on July 20, 2009, and his planned retirement date is Aug. 31.
“It will end up being over 13 years. And I certainly feel, as a team, we've accomplished a great deal," Morgan said during a phone interview.
“As we told our kids, who were competitive swimmers in high school, ‘Finish hard to the wall.’ So I'm not taking a victory lap yet. I’ve got four months to try to get more accomplished," Morgan said.
"I feel a great deal of love for this community, and my wife and I are staying here in retirement," he said.
Highlights from Rhode's résumé:
Village administrator in Hartland, Wisconsin, from January 2020 to June 2021.
Town administrator in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, from May 2016 to December 2019.
City administrator in St. Francis, Wisconsin, from May 2011 to May 2016.
Village administrator/clerk in Butler, Wisconsin, from February 2006 to May 2011.
City administrator in Monticello, Iowa, from March 2004 to February 2006.
Tuesday's City Council vote to select Rhode was 6-1, with Batcheldor voting no. He preferred to scrutinize job finalists during an ongoing search process led by retired Rockledge and Cocoa Beach City Manager Jim McKnight and International City/County Management Association Senior Adviser Ken Parker.
“It very well may be that Mr. Rhode is the best candidate, based on his trajectory, based on his performances that you’ve been able to take a deep dive on. But there are candidates here that deserve to have a closer look. And they may well be a better fit," Batcheldor said.
"But we will not know until we take a closer look at them, until we provide a finer filter on these candidates,” he said.
An astrophysicist, Batcheldor formerly headed the Florida Institute of Technology's Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences. He now is a subject matter expert in physics for the Southeastern Universities Research Association.
"Dan, I've got to tell you, our political views probably don't always align. But I will tell you, you've brought something here. And I'm not just saying this, I've told people this — you're one of the most intelligent people I've ever met in my life," Council Member John Dittmore said during the April 19 meeting.
Likewise, Deputy Mayor Andrea Young praised Batcheldor's time on the dais.
"Your insight on things made me look at things from a different point of view. It's been an honor and a pleasure to serve with you," Young said.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: West Melbourne may hire Tim Rhode city manager Batcheldor City Council
