Barwin Selected as Sarasota City Manager

Former Oak Park Village Manager Tom Barwin has been offered the job as city manager of Sarasota, Fla. Now, it's up to him to accept.

on the developments:

Barwin was selected 5-0 by the city commission Monday afternoon to be the city's new manager...Commissioner Terry Turner selected Barwin because he worked in a city in a similar size as Sarasota, similar architectural values and Oak Park also has "unfortunately the level of political dischord." Mayor Suzanne Atwell said Barwin has "extraordinary temperament, a calming influence."

"He looks beyond himself, but he's still savvy," she said.

Earlier this year, Barwin pulled out as a finalist for the job as, telling Patch "it wasn't a good fit."

Barwin, of course, resigned from the Oak Park job back in February. Back in May, Oak Park Village Board approved a search firm, Slavin Management Consultants, to begin scouting for the job.

Wednesday Journal reports the search is behind schedule, with the village spending "up to $21,490 for its work. This figure breaks down to $13,865 in professional fees, while the remaining $7,625 is available for possible expenses incurred during the process."

The deadline for applicants is Aug. 13.