Brooksville city clerk Phillips resigns after 19 years

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BROOKSVILLE — A fixture in the Brooksville City Hall since the late 1980s, Karen Phillips managed to outlast a handful of city managers, at least nine different mayors and dozens of council members.

Phillips resigned last week as Brooksville city clerk, a position she held for more than 19 years, according to City Manager Jennene Norman-Vacha. Her final day with the city will be Dec. 31.

"I didn't expect her to resign," Norman-Vacha said Tuesday. "Karen has a lot of institutional knowledge. We will go on without her, but it's a hard gap to fill."

The exit of Phillips, 54, comes as Brooksville welcomes Tommy Brooks as the new executive director for the city's embattled Housing Authority.

Brooks, 63, was director of the Ocala housing authority from 1991 to 2000 but has spent the past few years working as a minister at New St. John's Baptist Church in Ocala.

Brooks replaces Ronnie McLean, who was fired May 20 after a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report was critical of his handling of inspection reports, recordkeeping, staffing and budgetary matters.

Brooks "seemed knowledgeable about HUD procedures and he's a great communicator," said housing chairman Randy Woodruff. "He was my personal top choice."

Meanwhile, Phillips' departure from City Hall came as a serious post-Election Day surprise. She started in 1987 as an administrative assistant to former City Manager Jim Cummings, making about $19,000 a year.

Over time, Phillips steadily acquired more responsibilities and leadership within city government. She briefly ascended to acting city manager in 2006 when the City Council attempted to allow City Manager Richard Anderson to stay on past his retirement date set by the state.

But the May 2007 arrival of Norman-Vacha, former deputy administrator for Hernando County, signaled a change at City Hall.

Norman-Vacha began assuming many of the responsibilities that had been handled by Phillips over the years.

Then, in September, she successfully pushed the council to approve a change in the administrative hierarchy. That placed the administration and human resource departments under the direction of the city manager, while the city clerk's position was placed in charge of the city's Department of Administration, which was comprised of human resources and the management information systems department.

Under the new arrangement, Phillips returned to a regular city clerk role, and her salary was cut by more than $15,000 a year.

"Anytime that there's change, longtime employees are going to feel that change the most," councilwoman Lara Bradburn said. "But we're committed to making city government stronger and better able to serve the people in the most efficient manner."

The city clerk's office was also stripped of candidate filing duties in September after Bradburn and Mayor David Pugh raised concerns about organization and fairness. The council voted to transfer the filing duties, at no cost, to the Hernando County supervisor of elections.

"It was a shock to hear that she was actually resigning," Pugh said. "She meant a lot to the city. You hate to see someone with that much tenure leave."

Norman-Vacha said she plans to post the job opening by week's end. The interview process will start shortly thereafter.

Comments on this article

by Paul N	Nov 14, 2008 8:56 PM
Karen,you knew that your days were numbered, the only thing you did wrong was to wait untill Norman V ,cut you up with her evaluation. It's the same old game with a combination of new players, 6joe, 6jr, & 6lara "666"& Norman V.The City is dieing.

by Quincy	Nov 13, 2008 8:59 PM
The truth comes out now with the poor eval for Karen which signals termination in the future, Norman-V style, ruin careers, Karen had no choice but to resign. There are others if the media cares to find out

by Joe	Nov 13, 2008 1:36 AM
Does anyone care about experience anymore? Why don't they just hire someone right out of high school to fill the position and pay them minimum wage. Will that work for you? Pathetic.

by mark	Nov 13, 2008 1:32 AM
From what I can see it is no different now that the Anderson/Tincher regime..except a skirt. Politics as usual. She had an agenda from the get go and there ain't no stopping it. The ALPHA FEMALE will stop at nothing!

by bob	Nov 13, 2008 1:31 AM
Talk about overpaid and underqualified.HANKINS was promoted over others and didn't meet the qualifications. 3 promo's in one day! Let's see you cut his pay and "get in line with accountability."Jenneane look at those on your island.give me a break

by Judy	Nov 12, 2008 8:41 PM
Change is hard to take. With budget shortfalls and the need to become more efficient comes the reality that employees who have been overpaid for the job title need to get in line with accountability. She will have a tough time replacing this job.

by Jonas	Nov 12, 2008 8:37 PM
To Who Cares: A degree in B.S. with no exp. can not compare to 19 years of exp on the job. Over paid and not qualified is Norman-V, Turner, and Hankins, get rid of them, save money and jobs for the citizens of the City. End Corruption.

by Who Cares	Nov 12, 2008 4:39 PM
People leave because many are under qualified and get paid exorbitant salaries while others who have degrees are paid minimally. the City under pays their actual qualified employees garbage pay.

by Jonas	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
Why are so many good people leaving the City of Brooksville? Why are many being fired and forced to resign? May it be due to the corrupt people now in key roles, like city mgr, police chief and mayor...

by Chuck	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
Can someone say turmoil at City Hall? Who are the boys gonna hand-pick to fill her position. Karen you did a great job for Brooksville, thanks.

by Nick	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
Pugh and Bradburn are such hypocrites. Karen was a pleasant, loyal and dedicated employee of our City. I wish her the best as she travels a new path.

by Intrigued	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
Karen, we love you. You will be missed by the entire County, and the loss within the city will be felt for some time to come. It is hard to see good people go.

by Concerned	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
Remember that you can not buy knowledge with experience. What we really need in Brooksville is to cut the salaries of the "part time" high dollar positions in the administration.

by Sherri	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
Best to you, Karen. Cities and Counties don't realize the knowledge and resource someone possesses until the lose it. Appreciation is something the citizens of Brooksville have for you.

by Connie	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
I'm sure Norman-V, Pugh and Bradburn already have one of their cronies lined up for the position. Karen you could write a book. Keep smiling and don't look back.

by Sherry	Nov 12, 2008 1:20 PM
A sad day for the City of Brooksville. We lost an invaluable source of dedication, information and humanity in one fell swoop. This City is on a collision course with disaster without the steady hand of Phillips at the helm.

by Shannon	Nov 12, 2008 1:19 PM
I am very sad to hear that Karen is leaving, as she has done a wonderful job over the years. Best wishes to you Karen!

by karen	Nov 11, 2008 9:58 PM
wow, what sad news! karen has been an ICON for the city of brooksville forever! she has done so many wonderful things for this community and all the parades,and fun this city had was thanks to her and tincher! we will miss her! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!