BRADENTON BEACH – With the city officially announcing the resignation of Public Works Director Tom Woodard at a May 2 commission meeting, it was also announced that Police Chief John Cosby will fill in as interim department head during the search for Woodard’s replacement.
Woodard, who has been with the city for 20 years, is taking a job as Public Works Director in Bedford, Virginia.
Mayor John Chappie said on May 3 that Woodard’s last day with the city will be sometime this month.
Woodard, a lifelong Bradenton resident, said the move has been a family decision.
“I wanted to make a change primarily for my wife and two daughters,” he said. “This has nothing to do with Bradenton Beach. I respect and love everyone here.”
The news of Woodard taking the new position was announced by Bedford in an April press release. He was one of 40 applicants for the position there.
“I’ve been here for 20 years. I’m a little nervous about it, I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. The town there issued a press release before I spoke to anyone here. I sent an email to the mayor, the commissioners and to my staff,” Woodard said.
The press release stated in part: “Throughout his distinguished career, Woodard has managed a wide range of departmental responsibilities and played a pivotal role in municipal operations, especially in emergency management, including the effective removal and disposal of debris following hurricane damage.”
According to the release, Woodard’s career spans over three decades, starting in Manatee County, where he served as a traffic management supervisor for eight years. He is a graduate of Manatee Community College and holds several professional certifications, including from the National Incident Management System.
A modest Woodard said he didn’t want to make a fuss, but when pressed to say what has been his proudest accomplishment, he said it is being part of a team in emergency situations.
“What I’m most proud of is the emergency management team,” Woodard said. “The chief (Cosby) is the incident commander, and I’m number two, we handle debris removal to get the island open. My department is boots on the ground first responders with police. My staff is a group of talented people.”
He said Bradenton Beach sets the standard for storm response.
“Because of the way we operate, the city gets FEMA money back. Shayne Thompson is part of our three-man team who takes on the FEMA aspect,” Woodard said. “We are the only city I know of, maybe in the state, that gets 90-100% reimbursement from FEMA. The chief has been doing this for 40 years, I’m 30 years, it’s great how well we work together to get people back into their homes quickly after a storm.”
Woodard attributed the teamwork among city departments as a contributing factor in the city’s progress.
“Here in Bradenton Beach, it’s always a team effort,” Woodard said. “The chief and mayor are very involved. Ricinda (City Attorney Ricinda Perry) is there for legal support, and when a job goes out to bid the city clerk (Terri Sanclemente) is involved as well as the building official (Darin Cushing.)
Among other large projects, Woodard has been involved in the rebuilding of the city pier and the roof of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar building.
“Tom is looking at working with the chief to make sure he has what he needs,” Perry said. “I plan to meet
with Tom to go through the list of things the chief needs to effectively take that department forward and make sure the city is well-serviced and also for us to make sure we have a list of emergency projects before he leaves our city and helps set up a game plan.”
The commission voted unanimously to approve Cosby’s salary increase of $850 a week while serving as interim public works director.
The search for a full-time public works department head to replace Woodard will likely take place in July.
“We feel it’s important we write a very good advertisement for that position, and it’s going to take a little bit of effort because we’re not entirely sure of everything that role entails,” Perry said, noting the position has certification and reporting requirements.
“I would hope we would be able to advertise by July and maybe by the second meeting in August bring back recommendations,” Cosby said. “You have to remember also I have to do budgets for all the departments. It’s not just maintaining the day-to-day operations. I have to do their payroll, I have to pay their bills and develop the budget.”
“I don’t think it will be that easy to find someone with Tom’s qualifications,” Commissioner Ralph Cole said. “He’ll be missed.”
“This is another example of the employees working as a team,” Cosby said. “You have someone who can step in because we do work so closely together.”
