In a significant move, the Gainesville City Commission, during its first meeting of 2024, solidified its team of charter officers and addressed compensation matters. At the core of these decisions was the appointment of Kristen Bryant as the permanent City Clerk and the approval of a 2.5% pay increase for all charter officers.
The Thursday meeting saw a unanimous vote, with Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent, in favor of officially appointing Bryant, who had been serving as the Interim City Clerk. This decision marked the filling of the last vacancy among the city’s charter offices, a milestone noted by Mayor Harvey Ward for bringing a complete and permanent team to the city’s administration.
Bryant’s appointment was preceded by the selection of a permanent city auditor in December, a role now held by Stephen Mhere. The City Clerk position had been the subject of discussion, with options including maintaining Bryant, conducting an external search, or even disbanding the role due to its non-mandatory status in the city’s charter. However, the commission’s decision reflects a commitment to continuity and stability within the government, especially in light of recent rapid changes and the restructuring of its relationship with the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU).
Commissioner Bryan Eastman, who initially proposed the idea of eliminating the City Clerk position in May 2023, shifted his stance in support of Bryant’s permanent appointment. He emphasized the need for stability in a government undergoing swift transformations. Commissioner Reina Saco expressed her preference for making Bryant’s role permanent, acknowledging her qualifications and the cost implications of an external search.
The commission also agreed to a 2.5% pay increase for its charter officers, including City Clerk Bryant, City Manager Cynthia Curry, City Attorney Daniel Lee, Interim City Auditor Brecka Anderson, and City Director of Diversity and Inclusion Zeriah Folston. This decision followed their annual performance evaluations, where they achieved an average rating of 4.3 out of 5, exceeding job standards as per Human Resources Director Laura Graetz.
Mayor Ward will negotiate Bryant’s contract, ensuring her salary does not exceed the established midpoint of $129,336 as of June 2023. The commission aims to have the contract signed before their next meeting on January 18.
Commissioner Ed Book raised concerns about potential financial impacts due to GRU considering further cuts to the government services contribution. Despite these apprehensions, he voted in favor of the pay increases, considering the average raises for other city employees and the perspectives of his fellow commissioners.
Mayor Ward countered the notion of waiting for more clarity, stating that the budget, including the raises, was already passed, and postponing decisions might not yield further insights.
As Gainesville navigates these administrative and financial decisions, the City Commission’s actions reflect a balancing act between fiscal responsibility and the need to maintain a stable and effective city government. The next meeting, set for January 18, is expected to continue addressing these critical issues.