January began with a friendly tug of war between Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.
Both cities wanted city planner Alan Garrett — who worked part-time for both — to work full time.
In the end, Garrett signed with Anna Maria. Mayor Dan Murphy announced Garrett’s decision Jan. 26 during a planning and zoning board meeting at city hall.
Garrett is scheduled to begin working a Monday-Thursday schedule March 1.
“It is what it is,” Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon said. “We’re going to miss him. I regret his decision but it will be very good for Anna Maria. It fills their need. We need somebody with more hours and he can’t work both places full time.”
Before Garrett signed exclusively with Anna Maria, he worked Mondays and Wednesdays in Bradenton Beach and Tuesdays and Thursdays in Anna Maria.
Garrett will continue to work his regular schedule for Bradenton Beach through March 1.
Shearon said he’s started looking for a successor.
— Tal Reeve