by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
What is it? An ombudsman is a government official or independent person who investigates complaints and helps resolve disputes, often acting as a mediator or advocate. City Council members are seeking to expand that role to include a proactive aspect to the position.
The ombudsman position was introduced by City Manager Dana Souza during the last budget period. It was rejected as unnecessary given budget constraints. The purpose at that time was to have someone who could help citizens navigate the permit process. An ombudsman could deal with challenging permits and resolve issues, helping property owners accelerate their recovery.
The budget proposed at the time was $104,000 including benefits for a full-time, 2080 hours/year employee. Another option now being discussed is a contractor like a land-use attorney or planner at $195/hour for 533 hours/year.
Councilman John Henshaw suggested there might be citizens willing to do that. “Can we get a citizen’s group together, perhaps through a nonprofit?” he said.
“Recovery becomes that much more difficult as time goes on,” said Councilman Richard Johnson. “An ombudsman would reach out proactively, find out where those challenges are. Some of them will be beyond our control. We still have a ways to go. Some of our toughest challenges are before us.”
Councilman Henshaw and Vice Mayor Holly Smith favored using a contractor versus an employee. “I think we need to tread lightly before we go to full-time staff,” Smith said. She stressed that the person has to understand the Sanibel Plan and the Land Development Code.
“I think this is a position we definitely need,” said Councilmember Laura DeBruce. “I would strongly urge us to consider a Sanibel resident. A contracted position is a good idea while we learn more about what is required. We need someone on the island and of the island.”
Smith and Johnson disagreed. “I don’t want to limit it to Sanibel,” Smith said, while Johnson said he wanted to broaden the field, not narrow it. “It doesn’t limit you from looking outside the city,” he said.
Mayor Mike Miller said first and foremost, he would like to proceed and not wait for the budget process.
Someone who isn’t on island is more prepared to think outside the box when solving issues.
We are very excited to be close to the end of our “rebuild post-Ian” effort. We would have utilized an advocate for a few steps in the permitting process that were quite painful.
I am interested to understand the logic referenced in the article. Dana proposed a full time resource for $104k per year including benefits (2080 annual hours) and the response was a concern related to having budget. The “alternative” suggested is a contractor for 533 hours per year at rate of $195. 533 x $195 is $103,935 – which you could round up to the same $104k.
I’m not an expert, but it would seem 2080 hours with a resource who has skin in the game with a full time role is a better value than ~1/4 the number of hours (533) with a third party. There would also be administrative overhead costs of time and logistics with a third party.
Our summer vacations with our boys were on Sanibel for 9 years and each of us now loves the island. Our youngest heads to college in August.
Post Ian, my husband and I chose to rebuild (we had purchased in 2020) so we will have a safe, resilient house for eventual retirement. We are very thankful for Sanibel’s commitment to the rules. We also believe if the island wants to viably recover, some consideration for those choosing to invest significant dollars to rebuild would help the cause. The ombudsman could help with the permitting speed bumps.
Thank you to Dana and all who remain dedicated to the recovery of Sanibel!
If the staff was more helpful, more knowledgeable and less dismissive we would not need an ombudsman. And this is across the board and the Causeway. Are you listening DMV ? Certainly not a paid, budgeted position. People approach permitting like an adversarial adventure – give me the maximum, charge me the minimum and lend a blind eye to any infractions, inadvertent or not.
The staff is just trying to cope with this onslaught of reconstruction and it has never been easy.