Former county administrator applies for Florida job

Ishler one of 99 in running for city manager position

Kevin Spradlin

CUMBERLAND — Former Allegany County government administrator Vance Ishler is one of 99 applicants for a city manager position in a small Florida town south of Everglades National Park.

The city council in Marathon, a Monroe County town of about 11,500 residents, is expected to begin the selection process as early as next month, said an assistant to interim City Manager Peter Rosasco. Ishler of Frostburg is the only candidate from Maryland for the position, which drew applicants from New York, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and several other states as well as several Florida residents, including two former Marathon managers, according to a report on KeysNet.com.

The position, according to the announcement, “directs the day-to-day operation of the city government, including supervision of staff, planning, budget, formulation and implementation and capital improvement efforts, and is responsible for it’s efficient and effective operation.”

The successful applicant also will oversee all paid and volunteer staff and make “the decisions necessary to promote the smooth functioning of government.”

Allegany County officials announced during a March 20 meeting — less than a month before his 10-year anniversary — that Ishler was no longer in the position he had filled since April 1999. In Ishler’s contract, the 10-year milestone signaled a significant increase in benefits for Ishler and his family, including lifetime medical coverage.

County Attorney Bill Rudd said at the time that Ishler had released the county from that liability. However, details of the separation agreement have still yet to be released. The county said both parties signed a confidentiality agreement.

The announcement was made about a month after Ishler had been placed on leave. His spot at that night’s county commission meeting was filled by acting County Administrator David Eberly. Eberly had filled in for Ishler in the spring of 2008 for about two years and again from early April to late August 2008 while Ishler was on extended medical and personal leave due to an undisclosed health condition.

Before being hired to run Allegany County government, Ishler served as city manager in Belding, Mich., for four years and was town administrator in Williamsport for seven years.

There has not been a salary range decided upon for the Marathon position, a person familiar with the city council’s actions said. The former manager’s base salary was $90,000 and was raised to $100,000 after six months. That higher base salary, the Times-News learned, was in part because the employee did not require health insurance and other benefits.

Allegany County began its national search for a new county administrator in April. As a cost-saving measure, the commissioners have opted to delay hiring Ishler’s replacement until after Jan. 1.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.