ANNA MARIA – City Clerk Amber LaRowe will also serve as Anna Maria’s first city administrator when the new 2026-27 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
On Aug. 27, the Anna Maria City Commission unanimously approved Mayor Mark Short’s request to appoint LaRowe to also serve as city administrator.
Short noted the city charter provides for the creation of the city administrator position. The charter says, “Subject to the approval of the city commission, the mayor may appoint an individual to act as an administrator to report to and serve at the pleasure of the mayor. The qualifications and duties for this position shall be defined within the administrative code of the city.”
The charter also says, “The city clerk may, if appointed by the mayor, with approval of the city commission, fulfill the office and duties of city treasurer and/or administrator.”
When presenting his request, Short said, “I’ve been in office now for almost two years and I believe that it is in the best interest for the city operationally, as well as from an organizational standpoint, that we have a city administrator to assist me in managing and keeping tabs of basically everything that’s going on in the city. For a little city, we have a lot going on.
“I want to be clear: These duties do not change what the mayor is responsible for, per the charter. People hear administrator, they think city manager. These are two completely different things. This is not someone who’s replacing the mayor. This is helping the mayor, as well as working with our departments within the city to make sure we are cohesive,” Short said.
“I’m asking the commission to not only approve the city administrator position, but also to approve Amber LaRowe as becoming the city administrator effective October 1.”
Commissioner Charlie Salem asked about the fiscal impact of the city clerk also serving as the city administrator. Short said there would be a $17,000 impact, but there’s no need to hire an additional employee. As city clerk, LaRowe’s current salary is $114,500, and she was already scheduled to receive a salary increase during the coming fiscal year.
Salem asked if the city administrator’s position is addressed in the administrative code.
Short said he didn’t have a copy of the administrative code with him, but it would be made available.
The commission voted 5-0 in favor of the mayor’s request.
ADMINISTRATOR’S DUTIES
The following day, the clerk’s office provided a copy of the administrative code that states the mayor remains the city’s chief executive, and the administrator will serve as the mayor’s principal day-to-day administrative officer.
“Nothing in this policy shall diminish, transfer or supersede any power, duty, professional responsibility or independent authority assigned by the charter or applicable law to the mayor, city commission, city clerk, city treasurer, city attorney, superintendent of public works, building official or any other city officer,” the administrative code says.
“The mayor shall retain direct responsibility for the appointment, suspension, termination and other final personnel decisions concerning department heads,” the code says.
PAST COMMENTS
In September 2024, while seeking election to the mayor’s office, Short and fellow mayoral candidate Brian Seymour participated in a candidate forum and were asked where they stood on the potential appointment of a city manager or city administrator.
Short said then, “I do not believe the city needs a city manager or a city administrator. If you read the city charter, that is the job of the mayor. You’re electing someone to do exactly what a city administrator or manager would do. If the voters want a city manager, then we need to change the city charter.”
Seymour said, “I’m very much in favor of a city administrator-type position to help oversee the city. It has become such a large city with so many departments and so many employees. I really believe that would be beneficial to the city.”
When contacted on Aug. 28 and asked about his past comments, Short said, “After spending almost two years in office, it has become clear to me having an administrator helping with the day to day activities in the city is a positive thing. To be clear, this is to assist with administrative tasks and to continue to promote operational efficiencies and coordination between departments in the city. It does not impact the duties of the mayor as called out in the city charter.”
