News
Dundee's town manager was groomed for success by Auburndale's Bobby Green
Published: Monday, July 27, 2009
ANDY STEWART'S TOWN
DUNDEE - Dundee Town Manager Andy Stewart keeps little in the way of personal memorabilia in his office - except for his framed bachelor's and master's degrees and an old black and white poster, it's pretty bare - but this isn't an indication of lack of commitment.
A manager with a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-the-job -done attitude, his office reflects this philosophy. Dry erase boards are covered with notes; tubes of blueprints lean against a filing cabinet; and aerial maps of the town are casually placed by the wall.
"It takes someone willing to work and not just delegate," said Stewart, an energetic 29-year-old with an easygoing nature and a management style nurtured during his five years as the assistant city manager in Auburndale, where he also served as director of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the personnel administrator.
Auburndale City Manager Bobby Green, he said, instilled in him leadership skills and management principles needed to make the jump to town manager.
Just completing his first six months at Dundee's helm, Stewart said he's spent the time getting to know residents and employees, furthering several projects that have languished over the past two or three years and getting a handle on the town's finances.
"It's been a smooth transition for me because of my previous job and working under a manager who understands the profession and has a proven track record as a mentor," Stewart said. "I had the network in place to be successful in Polk County. Although Auburndale has grown, it has a small-town feel and Dundee is no different."
Off to a busy start
He describes his time in Dundee as "busy." While getting down to business, Stewart has also established partnerships with other governmental entities to further the town's goals.
After years of delay, the town is moving forward with the Hickory Walk Water Plant to be located approximately 2,000 feet southeast of the intersection of Lake Trask Road and Lake Mabel Loop Road. It will feature a new water treatment facility, inclusive of a 750,000-gallon Ground Storage Reservoir (GSR) and three high service pumps.
"The project is out to bid. The next step is to select contractors and begin construction," he said.
Stewart has also been working on the reclaimed water re-use system, which would store, pump and transmit reclaimed water from the Dundee Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility to the Dundee Regional Utility Service Area for reuse on commercial, residential and institutional sites for irrigation. He's currently working to renegotiate another cooperative funding agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District because the first one expired.
If the agreement is renewed, 75 percent of the project will be paid by Swiftmud and 25 percent by the town.
"We're working to keep the partnership with Swiftmud alive and continue this project," he said.
And by working with the city of Auburndale, Stewart found a way to maximize grant funds.
Through an agreement between the two municipalities, Auburndale will allocate its $67,126 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for fiscal year 2009-10 to Dundee. In return, Dundee will assign to Auburndale the funds it receives in each subsequent year until the entire amount is reimbursed.
Dundee is slated to receive approximately $17,000 in CDBG funds for fiscal year 2009-10. Combining this with the allocation from Auburndale will give the town nearly $85,000 to use for projects in low-income areas.
These funds will be used to improve Lake Menzies Park, Henderson Park and Lake Marie Park. This includes, among other items, remodeling restrooms at Lake Marie and constructing new restrooms at Henderson Park and Lake Menzies.
"I've made it a point to clean up all of our parks and continue to maintain park spaces," he said. "One thing I am into is clean park spaces and a clean environment to live."
Stewart has also established relationships with the city of Winter Haven, with whom Dundee now has a contract for Internet Technology Services, and Lake Hamilton, a future partner in a utility line extension along U.S. 27.
"The council has been receptive to working with other municipalities," he said.
Other projects include working with Finance Director Martin Munger to present a lean $11.4 million budget, applying for a United States Department of Agriculture grant to help fund the new town center and rewriting and updating personnel policies and procedures.
"I like to churn and burn," Stewart said. "I don't like to sit on issues. I like to address them and move on."
A positive first impression
Residents find Stewart accessible and approachable - and council members do, too.
Dundee resident Bob Mallory describes Stewart as "a very good addition to our management team."
"He's very personable. He's understanding . He's available when you go in to see him," Mallory said. "I think he is doing an excellent job where the town is concerned."
While council members stress that it is still very early in Stewart's tenure in the town, their initial impressions are positive.
Councilwoman Melinda Carden noted that Stewart arrived in town during a tough economic time, yet has managed to make headway with projects.
"He's taking care of things quickly so they don't escalate," Carden said.
She's particularly impressed with his advancing the policy and procedures manual, the library and town center building, water reuse project and the new water plant.
"He's making progress on all of them," she said. "He's a wonderful guy and he's going to be an asset to our community."
Councilman Rick Johnson agrees.
"I think he's done an outstanding job so far," Johnson said. "He is dedicated to the town, attentive to detail and focused on both short-term and long-term goals."
Johnson said employee morale has improved dramatically and this budget season, even with economic challenges, has been less stressful than any other he's experienced since he's been in office. Stewart and Finance Director Martin Munger, Johnson said, make a good team.
"Overall, I'd say he's righted the ship," Johnson said. "He's focused in on all of our long-term projects without taking he eye off the day to day operations of the town."
Stewart believes he is a good fit for the manager position in Dundee but he stresses the importance of those who work with him to better the town.
"I've surrounded myself with the right staff to provide stability to the town and a staff that will make good decisions for the residents of Dundee," Stewart said. "I also have a very supportive council that has given me the resources and flexibility needed to be a good town manager for Dundee."
Tagged: Andy Stewart, town manager, Dundee