Lakeland City Manager Aces Job Review

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Lakeland City Manager Shawn Sherrouse got high marks in his performance evaluation by city commissioners during a meeting Monday afternoon, with his average score increasing from a 3.7 out of 5 in October 2023 to a 4.31 out of 5 this year.

The score means that Sherrouse “consistently demonstrates performance that generally exceeds reasonable expectations.”

The score was higher than the 4.1 out of 5 he received in October 2022, which had been his highest to date.

Who is the city manager? Sherrouse, 53, is a Lakeland native and former U.S. Marine. He spent four-and-a-half years as assistant city manager and deputy city manager before being tapped for the city manager role in 2020. He has also worked for the city of Auburndale.

Sherrouse underwent a tough review in October 2023, in which he was told that his leadership and management style needed vast improvement. Commissioners said then that they had heard complaints from city employees and community stakeholders.

Executive coach hired: Following that review, the city hired a coach, Dawn Cook Causey, who also facilitated this year’s performance review. Sherrouse said Monday afternoon that she has not only helped him professionally, but with his personal relationships, as well.

“Thank you for the opportunity over this past year to make some course corrections that I could aim toward,” Sherrouse said Monday.

All of the commissioners commended Sherrouse’s efforts and willingness to improve, especially in the area of communication with staff.

Well liked: Mayor Bill Mutz said that Sherrouse is well liked and respected by his senior staff and by his peers throughout the state, who turn to him for advice.

“What I love about Shawn, all in all, is there’s great balance for us … to have a leader in this role that doesn’t panic,” Mutz said during Monday’s meeting.

In his written evaluation, the mayor said Sherrouse “agonizes over procedures … which he feels are unfair or incomplete just as much as the Commission may do.”

Sherrouse currently earns $238,562 annually.

At the conclusion of Monday’s review meeting, he commended the city’s 2,600 employees and gave them credit for making the city a place people are flocking to.

“It’s not always easy. Sometimes we have to have difficult discussions,” Sherrouse said. “But I will tell you, everybody is wanting, as best we can, to row in the same direction. There’s no other place that’s any better than Lakeland.”