- April 25, 2024
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Despite being selected as Naples top choice for its new city manager, Ormond Beach City Manager Joyce Shanahan has declined the job offer and will stay on as Ormond's city manager.
The news was announced during the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 19, where the commissioners were discussing Shanahan's annual evaluation — she scored a total of 4.64 out of five. Shanahan was offered the job on Friday, Sept. 14, and was in negotiations until Tuesday, Sept. 18, where she turned it down due to housing concerns.
“We just couldn’t get the numbers to work," Shanahan said.
As Naples City Manager, Shanahan would have earned somewhere between $200,000-$230,000 for managing a city of a population of about 21,000. Shanahan's current salary is $155,000 in Ormond Beach.
Shanahan said it was a difficult decision, as she described both communities as wonderful. During the City Commission meeting, she stated that in all her years of experience with local government, she had never worked with a City Commission and attorney like the
ones in Ormond Beach.
The City Commission that night praised Shanahan on her work ethic, integrity and the transparency she has brought to the city.
“I don’t know what those people in Naples were thinking, but I am so glad that you are not leaving," City Commissioner Dwight Selby said.
City Commissioner Rick Boehm had similar sentiments and expressed his hopes that Shanahan stays in Ormond until she chooses to retire in the future.
“I, for one, am not sorry that Naples lost her," Boehm said. "It’s their problem. As far as I’m concerned, I’m thrilled that she made the right call and the right decision to stay with us.”
Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington said he had residents reaching out to him and asking him if there was something they could do to keep Shanahan. He said at the time, the fairest thing for them to do was stay neutral on the issues so as to not hold her back, should she have taken the job.
“I think our citizens will rejoice as they learn about this, and I think that it’s a wonderful thing for Ormond Beach," Partington said. "We really are lucky to have a great city manager.”
Shanahan said she was blessed to have been considered in Naples and equally blessed to stay in Ormond Beach.
“Chris and I are happy to remain in Ormond Beach," Shanahan said. "This is our home.”
