By Terry Witt- Spotlight Senior Reporter

            Williston city employees are often rather reserved when city managers are hired by the city council, often sitting respectfully without saying or doing anything.

            It was different when Terry Bovaird was hired as interim city manager a few months ago. City employees applauded his hiring. Bovaird waved to his admiring fans.

            When Bovaird was officially hired as city manager on Dec. 6, department employees broke into applause again. They seem to like this guy.

            Bovaird was given a four-year contract with an $80,159 annual salary after Council President Debra Jones said she felt it was time to make it official. He needed to move from interim to city manager.

            She said she hardly visits City Hall anymore.

            The council voted unanimously to approve the four-year contract.

            A reporter asked for confirmation that it was indeed a four-year contract. Jones confirmed the contract was four years.

            “Two weeks,” Bovaird said without breaking a smile.

            He was definitely joking.

            Everyone knew what he meant. The average career lifespan of a city manager is three years in Florida. Bovaird has a contract, but he works at the pleasure of five council members. They can force him out or fire him. The former deputy police chief knows that.

            He does seem to be popular with department heads. That matters. He is their boss, but he appears to be willing to work with them instead of just giving orders.

            When asked what kind of car he was driving as city manager, he basically said it was a used impala, but he was satisfied.

            Someone asked if he should get a new car. Bovaird answered much like he always does – he is satisfied with what he drives now. The car won’t win any beauty contests, but it still runs.

            “I would never let the city buy a vehicle that would impact other departments,” he said.

            City managers are often given a car allowance to use their own vehicle at work, or depending on the city council’s feelings, they might shop around and buy a different vehicle for him.

             For now, Bovaird is still in the honeymoon phase of being city manager. He is likable and unusually popular with employees. But the people who will determine his future are the five city council members.

            They seem to like him too.

            It’s still early.

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City of Williston Regular Meeting December 6, 2022 Posted December 14, 2022