Fort Lauderdale is at an important crossroads.
We face major decisions involving infrastructure, mobility, redevelopment, public-private partnerships, affordable housing and the future identity of our community.
In times such as these, leadership matters.
Fort Lauderdale resident Jim Brady is the former city attorney in Lauderdale Lakes and Tamarac. (courtesy, Jim Brady)
After her first year as city manager, Rickelle Williams has demonstrated the type of professional, thoughtful and competent leadership Fort Lauderdale needs. What residents notice most is not just projects moving forward, but the positive culture change inside City Hall.
Under Williams’ leadership, residents increasingly feel that city government is more transparent, responsive and connected to the neighborhoods it serves. The city feels more organized and focused on the future. She has created an atmosphere where staff, residents, neighborhood leaders and stakeholders are heard and respected. It may sound simple, but in local government, it’s critical.
For years, important city projects sat idle, collecting dust. Under Williams’ guidance, projects that had stalled are now moving forward with purpose and accountability. She is focused on ensuring the city remains financially responsible and operationally efficient.
In her first year alone, as reported to the commission, she took the initiative to identify cost savings and new revenue valued at more than 10 times her salary. Her work ethic, attention to detail, energy and commitment to follow through are helping to restore confidence that Fort Lauderdale can execute important initiatives rather than endlessly discussing them.
Equally important is the way she approaches difficult, often controversial issues. Whether involving infrastructure, development, mobility or public-private partnerships, she has shown a willingness to embrace scrutiny, ask difficult questions, and require detailed technical and financial analysis before decisions are made. That is exactly what commissioners and residents should want from a city manager.
Take the issue of a new City Hall. Some residents favor a new building, while others support adapting an existing one. Regardless of where people stand, confidence is growing that Williams will provide the commission and the public with the technical, operational and financial information necessary to make the best long-term decision for taxpayers.
The same can be said for public-private partnerships and other major city initiatives. Residents understand that P3s are increasingly necessary, but they also recognize Fort Lauderdale’s mixed history with these projects. What citizens want is assurance that future agreements will be negotiated carefully, transparently and in the best interest of the community. Under Williams’ management, there is confidence these projects will receive the scrutiny and analysis they deserve.
Strong city management is not about politics. It is about competence, integrity, communication and execution.
In her first year, Williams has shown that she values neighborhoods, respects residents, supports city staff, and understands the importance of building public trust. Like previous city managers brought in from the outside, she assembled a team that combines experience with qualified professionals to strengthen the organization overall. She deserves the same opportunity to continue building and executing with that team over time.
Fort Lauderdale faces many challenges. But for the first time in a long time, many residents feel the city is moving in the right direction with professionalism, momentum and accountability. The revolving door of city managers has grown stale. It is time to focus on what is needed to operate as a responsible, functional, forward-looking city.
We collectively have a strong reputation to uphold, and Rickelle Williams’ continued leadership helps strengthen and accelerate that progress.
We fully respect, approve of and support Rickelle Williams as city manager and we encourage the city commission to continue doing the same. Fort Lauderdale benefits when strong leadership is allowed to work.
Jim Brady of Fort Lauderdale is a former land-use lawyer and former city attorney in Lauderdale Lakes and Tamarac.
Supporting this essay are these neighborhood association presidents: Vanessa Apotheker, Tarpon River Civic Association; Esthel Brennan, Riverside Park; Jared Gaylis, Croissant Park; JJ Hankerson, Progresso Village; Christina Robinson, South Middle River; Jacquelyn Scott, Colee Hammock; Betty Shelley, Imperial Point; Adina Victor, Chula Vista, and Chris Williams, Coral Ridge. Also, city residents Anthony Battista, Melinda Bowker, James LaBrie, Carlos Lang, Allyson Meyers, Prabhuling Patel, Mary Peloquin, JoAnne Robinson, Cary Tabora and John Wilkinson.