BREAKING NEWS: PATTI McLAUCHLIN WILL BE KEY WEST’S CITY MANAGER; PENDING COMMISSION APPROVAL

No longer "interim city manager," she'll stay for 2 years

Call off the search.

Key West may not need a new city manager for another two years. Patti McLauchlin has agreed to drop the word “interim” from her current title and work as the official city manager until she retires in two years — if the city commission approves the move.

The selection committee to find a new city manager met Monday at City Hall and was prepared to approve a profile describing the ideal city manager candidate. A consultant was then going to find potential candidates and start an interview process.

“Then there was a request from the committee about whether I would consider doing the job for another two years, and I said I would,” McLauchlin told the Keys Weekly Monday evening after the committee met. “But the city commission still has to approve it at tomorrow’s meeting, so it’s not official yet, but I’m very honored and flattered to be asked.”

McLauchlin said this decision will help the city with long-term succession planning, a priority she strongly supports.

“I actually started a succession planning program 18 months ago, just not for the city manager position,” McLauchlin said. “But to have a succession planning program in-house will be so worthwhile and important. I firmly believe there are people already working for the city of Key West who will be fully capable and prepared to be city manager in two years.”

McLauchlin has worked for the city for 40 years and was assistant city manager under Greg Veliz, who resigned in April. McLauchlin was then appointed interim city manager while the commission embarked on a national search for Veliz’s replacement.

That search won’t be necessary now if the commission approves the selection committee’s recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting.

 

 

 

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.