Dave Dyess would take over a city that has seen significant turmoil in recent months.
STUART — Police Chief Dave Dyess was tapped by commissioners Wednesday evening to possibly take over as interim city manager.
The City Commission is to revisit the discussion at its May 21 meeting, and it could vote on installing the longtime chief in the city’s top leadership role.
Dyess would take over the position from former City Manager Dave Ross who, under pressure from commissioners, resigned Friday after just seven months on the job.
Commissioners at Wednesday’s meeting praised Dyess as a strong leader who could help re-establish and maintain stability as the commission searches for a permanent city manager.
„His ability to work in the community and be a community partner and to collaborate with our staff I think would be very helpful, and would really help give everybody the time to catch their collective breath,“ Commissioner Troy McDonald said.
Should the commission vote in favor May 21, Dyess likely would start as interim city manager June 1 and hold the job until at least Sept. 1, according to discussion Wednesday evening.
In an interview after the meeting, the chief said he would be interested in the job permanently.
Dyess, a lifelong Treasure Coast resident, likely would have a significantly different approach to leading City Hall than that adopted by Ross, an Arizona native who most recently worked in Rock Island County, Illinois.
Dyess started his law enforcement career with the city nearly 30 years ago and steadily moved up the ranks, from road patrol to detective to assistant chief before attaining the department’s top rank six years ago, according to a 2012 interview with TCPalm.
He is a graduate of Martin County High School and Indian River State College and has raised four children in the county.
Dyess, 43, said he believes many of the skills he developed as police chief would transfer to a role as city manager.
“One of the biggest things you do as city manager is crisis intervention,” Dyess said. “We’re not talking life-and-death crisis, but critical thinking that if done properly can resolve situations in a positive manner.”
Dyess said he was approached about the position by McDonald, who said the chief would be a good fit.
“I think the general feeling of the community and employees — I’ve worked a lot of projects with other departments within the city — is that they feel that I have the ability to move the city forward,” Dyess said. „Have I ever been a (city) manager? No. But I’ve managed a lot of people.“
The City Commission on Wednesday also officially accepted Ross‘ resignation. Ross will receive no severance package, but will not have to pay back a $10,000 moving stipend, commissioners decided
Louis Boglioli, financial services director, will continue as acting city manager.
