The FCCMA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode #187: Kyle Scheele – The MacGyver of Ideas on Creativity Within Constraints Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Keynote speaker Kyle Scheele, known as the “Patron Saint ofCrazy Ideas,” shares why creativity thrives not in limitless freedom, but within real-world constraints. Drawing from his FCCMA 2025 keynote, Kyle encourages local government leaders to embrace limited time, tight budgets, and small teams as the conditions where great ideas are born. He urges listeners to build environments where “lightning strikes more often” by combining existing ideas in new ways and making space for creativity to flourish.

Episode #186: Tracey Stevens – Budgeting, Communication, and Resilience in a Small Town Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Tracey Stevens, Town Administrator and Finance Director ofHaverhill, Florida, shares the financial realities of managing a town of just over 2,000 residents. With the majority of their budget reliant on property taxes, Tracey and her team are exploring alternative revenue sources and maintaining a one-year reserve fund. She also discusses the town’s use of the Civic Ready app, which delivers emergency messages, meeting alerts, and event updates directly to residents.

Episode #185: Mark Cunningham – Storm Recovery and Managing Contaminated Debris Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Mark Cunningham, immediate past president of FCCMA, discusses Sarasota county’s back-to-back storm recovery efforts in 2024. He explains the unique challenges of post-storm debris management, including how contaminated sand must be carefully handled. Mark also covers the importance of clear public communication and proactive preparation before, during, and after storms to keep residents safe and informed.

Episode #184: Charlie Van Zant – Leadership, CRAs, and Legislative Involvement Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Charlie Van Zant, former City Manager of Keystone Heights, brings a diverse leadership background from military service and public education to his role in city government. He shares how Keystone Heights effectively leverages its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), covering half the city, to support local projects. Charlie offers advice to other city leaders about getting involved with the Florida League of Cities and advocating at the state level to ensure small cities are heard.

Episode #183: Barry Burton and Carl Harness – Regional Cooperation and Hosting ICMA in Tampa Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton and Hillsborough County Chief Human Services Administrator Carl Harness join the show to discuss their shared commitment to regional cooperation in the Tampa Bay area. They highlight their partnership with Pasco County, regular joint meetings between commissioners and staff, and the importance of working across county lines to tackle shared challenges. As co-hosts of the upcoming ICMA Annual Conference in Tampa, Barry and Carl also preview what attendees can expect. With registration open in June and the conference set for late October, they aim to break previous attendance records and emphasize the event’s value for professional development and networking across all levels of local government. The conversation also touches on broader trends in city and county management, from the rising importance of professional communication teams to the evolving nature of citizen engagement. Barry and Carl note that while counties differ in size and challenges, many priorities—like water management, infrastructure, and public trust—are shared, making the ICMA conference a critical space for learning and collaboration.

Episode #182: Audra Curts – Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery in Small Cities Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Crystal River City Manager Audra Curts shares her deep experience in hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery, with a special focus on the unique challenges small cities face. Audra reflects on being hit by Hurricane Helene just two days into the job, followed by Hurricane Milton a week later, and the flooding of City Hall from Hurricane Idalia before her arrival.

Audra draws from her past roles in city and school district leadership, including her time as CFO for Polk County schools during the 2004 hurricanes. She explains how storm recovery often requires cities to front costs long before FEMA or insurance funds arrive, making financial reserves and intergovernmental cooperation essential.

From managing recovery for over 160 school sites to navigating citywide disaster impacts, Audra encourages proactive planning, strong departmental coordination, and the importance of having flexible funding options ready. Her insights offer a valuable blueprint for local governments preparing for and responding to major storms.

Episode #181: Craig Fugate – Practical Guidance from the Former FEMA Administrator Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Steve Vancore talks with Craig Fugate, former FEMA Administrator and Florida Emergency Management Director, about his career journey from firefighter to national crisis leader. Craig explains how leadership in emergency management hinges more on trust and competence than politics, and why pragmatism is essential for navigating changing administrations.

Craig shares practical guidance for city and county administrators, outlining three core responsibilities in any emergency: issuing public warnings, coordinating evacuations, and providing shelter. He stresses the importance of clear communication about evacuation zones and building strong coordination among city, county, and agency partners. His advice: treat your entire workforce as part of the emergency team, and routinely test and update your plans to stay ready when disaster strikes.

Episode #180: Frances Robustelli – Communicating Through Crisis Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Steve Vancore speaks with St. Pete Beach City Manager Frances Robustelli about thethe vital role of communications in public safety, especially during storm season. They explore how leveraging multiple platforms—from social media to trustedcommunity leaders—can build public trust and ensure that timely, accurate information reaches residents when it's needed most.

Frances shares her real-world experience managing storm recovery, including the importance of clearmessaging, documenting conditions, and proactive coordination with contractors, particularly for debris removal. She also underscores the value of strong vendor relationships and around-the-clock communication to accelerate recoveryefforts.

Frances highlights the need for emotional support, space for residents to share their experiences, and transparent town hall discussions. Together, she and Steve reflect on how effective communication strategies are essential not just for safety, but for community resilience.

Episode #179: Ed Cook - Rebuilding Cities After Disasters Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Steve Vancore and guest Ed Cook, City Manager for the City of Callaway, discuss the intricacies of rebuilding cities after disasters, with a particular focus on securing grants and managing city finances. Ed outlines his proactive approach to grant writing, leveraging his deep understanding of the city's needs and forming strong relationships with state officials and legislators to streamline the process. He shares how personal connections and expert collaboration enhance the effectiveness of their grant applications.

The conversation also touches on the importance of financial reserves and transparency, which Ed credits for his city’s ability to quickly repay loans and sustain public trust post-disaster. They explore the strategic use of reserves and the benefits of clear financial planning.

Re-Release Episode #154: Ken Parker – Insights from a FCCMA Senior Advisor May 22, 2025

Show notes

Ken Parker, a longtime FCCMA Senior Advisor who has been retired for 10 years, joins us for a live interview at the FCCMA 2024 Annual Conference. Ken moved from Arkansas to Port Orange in Volusia County and discusses his experience in buying 10,000 acres for Port Orange to support the municipality’s growth. Additionally, Ken shares the unique experience of having an alien eradication specialist on his staff and provides fascinating insights into his diverse career.

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