KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Despite admitting he lacked a background in running a city, the City Council decided former Clay County Schools Superintendent Charlie Van Zant’s deep roots in the city were more valuable than experience.

The council voted, 3-2, on Jan. 3 to offer the job to Van Zant following the resignation of Lynn Rutkowski.  He signed his contract and was on the job Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Three councilmen, including Tony Brown, who called Van Zant a “hometown boy,” voted to approve Van Zant’s appointment. The two councilwomen voted “no” to support former Redington Shores Town Administrator Jeff Shoobridge.

Van Zant was a combat pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Army before serving 14 years on the Clay County School Board and four as the Superintendent of Schools. However, he’s never worked in city government.

“They won’t find anyone who cares more about this city, Keystone Heights, or this community,” Van Zant told the council. “I won’t be outworked. You won’t ever have to come in and wonder if you need to help me do my job. I’d like the guidance to clarify your vision and purpose. You and the citizens of Keystone Heights can expect me to execute that with fidelity all the way until it’s complete, or I have to come back to you and ask for more resources, whether that be time, money or other governmental agencies waiting.”

Before making the decision, the council asked Rutkowski one final time to reconsider her decision to leave on Wednesday, Jan. 10. councilwoman Christine Thompson motioned to give Rutkowski at least a $10,000 a year raise and a city-owned car for official business.

Before voting, the council asked Rutkowski if she would accept the offer.

“I appreciate the consideration,” she said. “Resigning from my position as city manager was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made. Before all of the social media stuff that happened, the decision was made to resign. I did waver back and forth on whether or not it was the best decision for me because I love this job. And there’s no doubt about that. And I think that all of you, and prior council members, can probably see that. If not, then I haven’t done my job well. However, I do believe that it is time for me to go.

“So, I appreciate all counsel and your consideration; however, I’m going to have to say no.”

Brown said, “At least we tried.”

The council then spent more than four hours interviewing the final three candidates – Elmon Lee Garner, Shoobridge and Van Zant. Then, they narrowed the choice to Shoobridge and Van Zant. Apparently, Van Zant’s ties to the community – he played football and graduated from Keystone Heights High – impressed all three councilmen.

“I’ve known Charlie since he was a kid,” Brown said. “That’s the benefit of being in a small town. I’ve watched him grow from being a kid playing football.”

Van Zant lost his re-election for Superintendent to Addison Davis in 2016 and then to David Broskie in 2020.

“I’m just going to be honest with you guys. I will take some heat from some people because there are people who hold grudges and issues that have happened in the past when Mr. Van Zant was school board superintendent,” Brown said. “They can’t get over it. I’ve gotten over it, so I don’t know why they can’t get over it.”

Brown also addressed Van Zant’s lack of experience in a municipality setting.

“Does he have an experience in a municipality? No. He’s got more experience than any of these other candidates in the way of his background and leadership,” he said.

Van Zant said he would earn city management certifications from the Florida League of Cities and the Florida City and County Management Association.

“If I were offered this position, I plan to call a few city managers in the same situations with likewise budgets and constituent groups, and ask which courses helped the most first, and start there,” Van Zant said.

“I’ll make a commitment to you to be involved in those and get whatever certifications are necessary to learn the nuances of city government.”

The council then debated the merits and faults.

Mayor Nina Rodenroth said he liked the opportunity to hire someone who could bring fresh ideas to the city.

“It comes down to outsider versus insider,” she said. “It’s great to have those relationships, but I think it’s good to have someone from the outside come in right now. New lives on the street, a new face in the town. Let’s see where that takes us.”

“In my view, Charlie is head and shoulders …” Councilman Steve Hart trailed off.  

“He’s shown me sometimes actions speak louder than words, that he wants to do his job, but he wants to do it right,” said Councilman Dan Lewandowski.