Fort Meade assistant city manager takes over after City Manager Jan Bagnall's last day

Fort Meade’s assistant city manager, Maria Sutherland, has been appointed as interim city manager following the departure of City Manager Jan Bagnall.

Bagnall gave the required 30-day notice last month that he planned to resign. Sunday was officially his last day as city manager.

Bagnall joined Fort Meade in 2020 as director of its electrical department and was promoted to city manager in April 2021. He succeeded Danielle Judd, who left after two years for a job with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Sutherland was hired as assistant city manager in July 2021. Before that, she worked in Avon Park for more than a decade as a project manager, administration services director and eventually city manager, according to her LinkedIn profile and media reports.

Sutherland holds a degree in organizational management from Webber International University in Babson Park, according to her LinkedIn profile.

The City Commission voted 2-1 last month to appoint Sutherland as interim city manager. Mayor James Watts and Commissioner Bob Elliott voted in favor, and Commissioner Petrina McCutchen opposed. Commissioner James “Possum” Schaill was absent.

The City Commission is lacking one member following the resignation of Barbara Arnold. That seat will be filled with a special election in November.

Sutherland did not respond to a voicemail left Monday morning.

Watts expressed confidence in Sutherland’s abilities.

“She's very competent,” he said. “She's professional in her job. She’s very knowledgeable, and she’s done a lot for internal progress in the city so far. And she knows what's going on right now – very good continuity in the transition.”

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Watts said he hopes to have a permanent city manager hired by November but said the decision might not come that soon. Four of the five seats on the City Commission are up for election in November.

Fort Meade has endured controversy and turmoil during Bagnall’s tenure as city manager. He submitted his resignation last year but then withdrew it. He received a written reprimand in June after signing a contract to order a fire engine without getting the required approval from the City Commission. Bagnall said it was an accidental oversight.

Bagnall has received frequent criticism from some residents on social media and at City Commission meetings. He pointed to his record of helping to secure more state funding for Fort Meade than any previous city manager.

Watts said the city will soon advertise for a city manager and conduct a search. Bagnall was receiving a salary of $100,000.

Gary White can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Fort Meade City Commission appoints assistant as interim city manager