Temple Terrace’s 65th Anniversary as Council-Manager

On December 15, 2020, Rob Duncan, Managing Director of Imagine That Performance, presented the ICMA Recognition Award on behalf of FCCMA to the City of Temple Terrace. Accepting the award for the City of Temple Terrace Mayor Andy Ross (center) and City Manager Charles Stephenson (right) in celebration of their 65^th year as a Council-Manager form of government.

Full Transcript of Presentation

“Good evening honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilmembers, City Manager, staff and residents of the beautiful City of Temple Terrace.

My name is Rob Duncan and I am the Managing Director of Imagine That Performance.  I am here this evening on behalf of the Florida City and County Managers Association (or FCCMA), where I serve on the COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE.  On behalf of FCCMA, we are privileged to present the City of Temple Terrace with a certificate celebrating 2020 as your 65^th year as a Council-Manager form of government as recognized by the International City/County Management Association (or ICMA). On behalf of the officers, board of directors and membership of FCCMA we offer our sincere congratulations on this milestone achievement!

The council-manager form of government was created to help separate administration from direct political influence and establish merit-based practices within local government.  It is modeled after a corporation’s framework with voters (stockholders) selecting a council (board of directors) who in turn appoint a manager (professional executive) to advise the council and implement its actions through ordinances and policies. 

In Florida nearly 70% of all 411 cities, towns and villages operate under the council-manager form of government and of the 67 Counties in the state, all but two are professionally managed.  The City of Temple Terrace is recognized as a champion of the Council-Manager form of government; where you have a City Council that works together in a professional manner to make decisions and establish policies that are in the best interest of your stakeholders.

Temple Terrace is fortunate to have an FCCMA member leading your city in City Manager Charles Stephenson.  Mr. Stephenson has over 24 years of local government management and leadership experience.  Charles is respected by professionals around the county, state and country as an individual who maintains the highest integrity and ethics and is always willing to promote his community while helping those cities that may need assistance.  Mr. Stephenson leads a staff committed to providing the highest quality of life possible to the residents of Temple Terrace.

On behalf of FCCMA and all other Council-Manager communities within our region and the state of Florida, we congratulate the City of Temple Terrace on this milestone achievement of being a Council-Manager community for 65 Years.

At this time I would like to present the Council and City Manager with this important certificate.”