St. Augustine Record: City picks new manager Operations Officer John Regan to replace Harriss

By PETER GUINTA

The St. Augustine City Commission, in a surprisingly quick decision Monday night, decided to forego launching a national search for a new city manager to replace Bill Harriss and unanimously chose John Regan, St. Augustine's chief operations officer, for the job.

Regan, 48, a civil engineer and 12-year employee of the city, said he was "floored" by the decision.

"I thought this would be a totally different process," he said. "It's a great honor."

Harriss announced a week ago that he had decided to retire this summer after 25 years with the city and 12 years as city manager.

He also turns 60 in June.

Before the item came up, two city residents asked the commission to begin a nationwide search for Harriss' replacement.

But after the discussion began, it became a virtual Regan love-fest.

Commissioner Leanna Freeman said Regan was the logical choice.

"This is not a tough decision for me. This is easy," Freeman said. "We know what we're getting. Every day, people tell me they want us to choose him. It's a waste of time and money to look elsewhere."

Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline said Regan is "well-known, respected and highly professional. He has brought a breath of fresh air to City Hall. (And) his creative approach to a culture of citizen involvement through public workshops is exemplary."

She noted that Regan won a Citizenship Award in 2004 from the Citizens for the Preservation of St. Augustine, and she made the motion to begin contract negotiations with him.

It passed 5-0.

"He knows and understands our city in a way only a resident and neighbor can," she said.

Commissioner Don Crichlow said the commission "could go round and round (with an outside search), spend a lot of money and waste three to four months. But in the end, we're going to come to the same conclusion and that is that John Regan is the best person for the job."

Crichlow praised Regan's creativity and ability to deal with the public, his effective dealing with crises of all types, and his love of St. Augustine.

"He'll bring to the city a different managerial style," Crichlow said. "Personally, I can't think of anyone more capable to captain our city."

Vice Mayor Errol Jones said he would have liked to be able to consider other people on the city staff as well, but said he also admired Regan's "professionalism, commitment to the city and level of competency. We as a commission need to be in harmony about this."

To Harriss, Jones said, "You've served us well. We have had our differences, but that's how it goes."

Harriss joked, "(John) doesn't know what he's getting into."

Regan is married -- their 25th anniversary is May 18 -- and they have two children, a son 24 and a daughter 22.

His hiring is subject to approval of his contract.

Mayor Joe Boles came over to Regan after the commission meeting to shake his hand.

"I've got to buy him his first beer," Boles said.