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Cosby transitioning from police chief to public works director

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby will step down from his role with the Bradenton Beach Police Department later this year and serve as the city’s full-time director of public works.

That transition was announced by Mayor John Chappie and approved by the city commission on May 21.

“The chief and I have been talking about his transition from the police department to full-time public works director after 38 years with the Bradenton Beach Police Department,” Chappie said. “The chief has been acting as public works director for approximately two years and doing an amazing job and getting things done.” 

Cosby has served as public works director since longtime director Tom Woodard vacated the position in May 2024.

“Chief Cosby wants to transition to public works. It would begin at the beginning of the fiscal year 2026-27,” Chappie said.

The city’s new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

“We have really never had a proactive public works director and the chief is proactive on everything. He does his homework. We know what we’re getting with Chief Cosby and his 38 years of institutional knowledge. I think it would be a win-win to keep the chief around,” Chappie said. “I’m not trying to criticize anybody in the past, but we never had anybody who really understands and studies and researches and knows all the contract people you really need to know. If he doesn’t know something, he will find out.” 

Chappie suggested a $122,000 salary for Cosby to serve as the full-time public works director. 

Commissioner Scott Bear said, “To have 38 years of experience walk out the door would be a loss to the city. So, if that’s what he wants, I support that. We’re getting the best out of this whole situation, because we get to retain a lot of knowledge and continue with the services we have. I support it completely.” 

Commissioner Ralph Cole supports Cosby’s transition to full-time public works director. Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce also spoke in support of the proposed transition.

“I think the loss of the institutional knowledge alone would be devastating,” she said. “We have to consider that Chief Cosby is going to continue his role in emergency operations. If he takes on the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency), those are added duties that I think would warrant some financial incentive added on to the public works salary.”

Cosby also serves as the city’s emergency operations manager. For his leadership during and after the 2024 hurricanes, he received the Chad Reed First Responder Award during the Governor’s Hurricane Conference on May 14. 

Chappie said Cosby will continue to serve as police chief until a new chief is hired. 

“We can start advertising for a new chief in early August and then approve the new chief in September, to begin work at the beginning of fiscal year 2026-27, possibly a little sooner,” Chappie said. 

Cosby said Lt. Lenard Diaz is not interested in taking over as the police chief.

“I’ve spoken with Lt. Diaz, who is the only one who would be close to being qualified,” Cosby told the commission. “He indicated at this point he’s not interested. But August is a few months away, maybe he’ll change his mind.” 

Scaccianoce said Cosby would also be available to support the new police chief.

The commission unanimously approved a motion to approve Cosby’s transition to full-time public works director with a first-year salary of $122,000.

Police chief named public works director

Police chief named public works director

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby is also now the city’s permanent public works director.

Cosby previously served as the city’s temporary public works director since longtime director Tom Woodard resigned earlier this year.

On Sept. 19, commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of naming Cosby public works director permanently and paying him an additional $74,747, as outlined in the employee manual, in addition to his $133,000 police chief’s salary.

During Thursday’s meeting, Mayor John Chappie said he initially intended to ask the commission to consider a pay increase for Cosby as he continued to serve as the temporary director but decided instead to ask the commission members to make Cosby the permanent director.

“It gives him the leeway to make some of the more important decisions in the operations of the public works department,” he said.

Chappie said appointing Cosby as public works director provides the city with significant savings because his insurance, pension and other employee benefits are already part of his police chief compensation.

Under Cosby’s leadership, Chappie said the public works department has already produced increased productiv­ity and efficiency, along with better utilization of the department’s existing and new equipment. He attributed that to the leadership skills Cosby developed during his many years with the police department.

“I can’t tell you how much I ap­preciate what he’s been able to do. With that, I would hope you would consider my proposal,” Chappie told the commission.

Before the vote took place, Commis­sioner Deborah Scaccianoce said, “I think Chief Cosby’s done an outstand­ing job wearing that additional hat. You can definitely see all of the things that have improved.”

Scaccianoce also said she’s glad to see the city’s street sweeping truck being routinely used.

“Things are getting done. I think he’s doing a great job,” she added.

Cosby has also long served as the city’s emergency operations manager.

COSBY’S COMMENTS

After the meeting, while standing in front of the public works building located next to the police station, Cosby discussed his public works department duties.

“I’ve been doing it for five months and it hasn’t really been an issue. I take all the paperwork that has to be done for public works home and I do it at home. There haven’t been any issues and hopefully, it stays that way,” he said.

When asked if he enjoys the public works side of things, Cosby said, “Yes. I like to get things done quick. I can move more at the pace I want instead of waiting for other people. It definitely makes it easier to get things done.”

Cosby said Donovan Buss serves as the public works department fore­man and some future departmental restructuring is likely.

“I may make some changes after the first of the year to adjust everybody’s jobs and give everybody a little more responsibility. There’s a lot of talent there and I don’t think it’s being used properly,” Cosby said.

At the police department, Lt. Lenard Diaz has served as Cosby’s second in command since Cosby succeeded Sam Speciale as police chief in 2021.

“The police department is run by the chain of command, from the staff to the sergeant, to the lieutenant, and then to me,” Cosby said.