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Dunedin selects Jennifer Bramley as its next city manager

 
Jennifer Bramley, 52, was selected Monday as Dunedin's new city manager. She currently works as deputy city manager for the city of Coral Springs. [Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bramley]
Jennifer Bramley, 52, was selected Monday as Dunedin's new city manager. She currently works as deputy city manager for the city of Coral Springs. [Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bramley]
Published June 26, 2017

DUNEDIN — In a unanimous vote Monday, the City Commission chose Jennifer Bramley as the next city manager.

After about 18 months of searching for a permanent replacement for former manager Robert DiSpirito, commissioners took about 10 minutes to settle on Bramley, 52. Following an initial ballot, during which commissioner John Tornga was the only one to vote for the other finalist, Kevin Cowper, the final vote was unanimous for Bramley. The next step will be to negotiate her contract.

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Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski said, while both candidates were highly qualified, it came down to Bramley's energy level for the job and how she communicated with community leaders during the interviewing process.

"I think we can now move along and be that visionary community that Dunedin is known to be, and have somebody at the helm to help us get there," Bujalski said.

Tornga said he chose to submit his final vote in line with the rest of the commissioners because he felt it was important to have a consensus to show support for the incoming city manager.

"We all are going to support the person coming in," he said.

The city conducted a national search after DiSpirito resigned last year following a commissioner's failed motion to fire him. Last week, residents attended a meet-and-greet session with the two finalists.

Bramley currently serves as deputy city manager in Coral Springs, where she oversees public works as well as the city's community redevelopment agency and economic development initiatives. She was not at Monday's commission meeting and could not immediately be reached for comment.

In the crowd Monday morning, Kim Marston was surprised when he realized the candidate he had recommended to commissioners was the one they chose.

In an email to the commission on Sunday, the Dunedin resident wrote that he believed her manner and temperament were a good fit for the community and that she was capable to take on the position.

Marston said he conducted his own research and noticed that Bramley's background fit the need for issues the city will soon face, such as development and adjusting its comprehensive plan.

"The city is not looking for someone who sees it as a stepping stone," he said. "We want somebody who's going to be with us, who's going to grow with us."