Palm Coast: Tis the season for a new city manager

Last week, Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland called for and got support for the dismissal of city manager Jim Landon because of his chronic last-minute release of workshop backup materials for City Council workshops until only shortly before those workshops were to begin.

Several weeks before, Holland had asked Landon to release the documents earlier so that council members could read them before workshops began. Often, the documents were released the morning of the 9:00 a.m. workshops.

“I will not continue former manager Landon’s practice of releasing the backup documentation and presentations so close to the start of workshop meetings,” newly appointed interim City Manager, Beau Falgout, told the City Council last night. Falgout served as assistant city manager. He has stated that he looks forward to returning to that role.

Beau Falgout, Palm Coast Interim City Manager

Landon had been city manager for the past 11-years before the City Council dismissed him last week. He had been Falgout’s supervisor. Even though other council members echoed Holland’s prior concerns, Landon resisted and continued releasing the backup materials until shortly before the Tuesday workshops were due to start.

Search firm Strategic Government Resources of Keller, Texas has been retained to recruit the next full-time city manager for Palm Coast.