The FCCMA Podcast

Karie Friling, newly appointed City Manager of Sarasota,joins host Steve Vancore to discuss how she approaches difficult situations. Just four months into the job, Karie has faced the implications of Amendment 3 from the start. She describes her approach to staying calm, actively listening to stakeholders, and making data-driven decisions, drawing on her 33-year career in local government and her Lean Six Sigma background. Karie reflects on her move from Illinois to Florida and the differences in home rule and revenue authority between the two states. The conversation turns to the challenges of social media and division, and to why public service remains a deeply rewarding career centered on improving communities.

Joe Halman Jr., City Manager of Haines City, joins hostSteve Vancore to share his journey from a 32-year career at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, where he retired as Chief of Law Enforcement in 2016, to leading a growing Central Florida city. Joe also brings six years of Florida National Guard service to a role that draws heavily on his public safety background and his belief that strong law enforcement is foundational to a thriving community.Joe discusses Haines City's economic development strategycentered on sports tourism and how the revitalization of Myers-Wiley Park with a new synthetic turf field has positioned the city as a destination for tournaments and out-of-town visitors. Joe closes with a reflection on what draws him to city management: Haines City’s growth, affordability, and strong sports culture make it a community he is proud to serve.

Port St. Lucie Assistant City Manager Kristina Ciuperger and Director of Communications Sarah Prohaska and join host Steve Vancore to share how the city has been proactively educating residents about the potential budgetimpact of Amendment 3.  Facing an estimated $49 million reduction to its general fund over two years, the citylaunched a series of Community Conversations at locations throughout the community to help residents understand how their property tax dollars are allocated and what cuts could follow.Sarah and Kristina walk through the city's multi-channeloutreach strategy, including e-blasts, texts, press releases, and homeowner association outreach. It is a practical and candid look at how one city is tackling the challenge of making complex budget information accessible and meaningful to everyday residents.

Jason Davis, City Manager of Fort Walton Beach, and Wyatt Wagner, a former FCCMA intern turned full-time IT systems administrator, join host Steve Vancore to discuss the power of paid internship programs to build the next generation of local government professionals. Jason traces his passion for mentorship back to a formative experience with an intern at Palm Beach County, which inspired him to develop paid internship programs across multiple jurisdictions.The conversation covers how the FCCMA internship program provided Wyatt with a paid position and real-world experience that helped him transition from technical college student to full-time employee, and how the program offers college credit for mentors and covers travel to the annual conference. Jason also shares his broader workforce development efforts, including partnerships with local colleges.

In this special episode, host Steve Vancore delivers an urgent message to Florida's city and county leaders about Amendment 3 and its threat to home rule and local governance. Recent polling reveals a dangerous knowledge gap: most voters cannot name the basic services their local tax dollars fund.But there is reason for optimism. When voters learn what local government actually does, support for the amendment drops from 59% to just 27%. Steve outlines a clear strategy for closing that gap: lead with services rather than government, highlight the tax shift that would hit renters and first-time homeowners hardest, and broaden the conversation around public safety.