By Dan Moffett
For the first time in its 53-year history, Briny Breezes is looking to hire a paid administrator to manage the town’s government business.
Until now, Briny Breezes has relied on the unpaid volunteer service of elected officials to do its administrative work. But over the years, the demands have grown more time consuming and more complicated.
Town Council President Sue Thaler estimates she puts in between 20 and 25 hours weekly, working for the town, often representing it in collaborative efforts with other groups and communities.
“I’m really not able to do that anymore,” she said. “We’re hoping to start advertising for an administrator within the next couple weeks and have someone hired before the end of the year.”
Of the 39 municipalities in Palm Beach County, Briny Breezes is the only one that does not have some version of a paid administrator, said Alderman Bobby Jurovaty — including the five towns that are smaller in population: Glen Ridge, Village of Golf, Cloud Lake, Jupiter Inlet Colony and Manalapan.
“We’re the last of a dying breed,” Jurovaty said. “Sue has done a great job, but she can’t keep putting in so much time. Some people actually thought Sue was getting paid to do all she does.”
Jurovaty said the new position will be part-time, perhaps 25 hours a week, and a combination job — part deputy clerk and part town manager.
Steve Cooper, the current clerk, is leaving the town later this year, so the timing is right for change. Thaler would stay on as an alderman.
No amendment of the town charter is required. Council members believe they can create the administrative job by passing a resolution.
Thaler said there’s $50,000 set aside in the new budget to cover the hiring. Briny Breezes is saving about $27,000 a year by switching from Ocean Ridge police service to Boynton Beach, so that will cover the extra cost above replacing Cooper as clerk.
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