Spotlight on City Manager, Anita Fain Taylor

By Vanessa J. Sauveur, MPA, Computer Support Specialist, City of Lauderdale Lakes

It is my honor to shine the spotlight on my City Manger, Mrs. Anita Fain Taylor.  Mrs. Taylor may not know this, but she has inspired me to focus on my professional development and to be steadfast in pursuing my goals. Mrs. Taylor, a Florida native, knew she wanted to be a City Manager; therefore, she designed her path, followed it, and has achieved her goals. She is the first African-American female City Manager in Broward County.  Mrs. Taylor attributes her success in government to having worked with top local government officials and by taking advantage of various educational and training opportunities.  She continues to enhance her executive leadership skills through leadership development programs and by participating in various professional organizations such as the Florida City and County Management Association.

In 2009, Mrs. Taylor received the prestigious Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). She currently serves as President of the Broward City/County Management Association; and Secretary/Treasurer of the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse.  Mrs. Taylor is also a graduate of Leadership Broward; a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

Below, Mrs. Taylor talks about her experience as a City Manager.     

You’ve been with City of Lauderdale Lakes for some time now.  What got you interested in public service?  

I became interested in public service while working for the City of Fort Lauderdale.  I thought it was going to be a temporary job but I ended up staying there for 10 and-a-half years.  During that time, there was a female City Manager (named Connie Hoffmann) who was quite the visionary.  In fact, a lot of downtown and beach redevelopment occurred through a master planning process that she spearheaded.  She left before the plans were implemented, but I am sure she sees her footprints whenever she’s in Fort Lauderdale.  She developed innovative programs that have not been mirrored anywhere else.  She was an inspiration. 

While in Fort Lauderdale, I knew I wanted to become a City Manager and developed a strategic career plan toward achieving that goal.  I followed it and here I am.   

What has been your most memorable experience while serving as City Manager? 

After we completed about 90% of the general obligation bond projects and the projects within the citizens’ master plan, we took all the employees on tour of all the sites so that they could see how they contributed toward the city’s redevelopment.  For example, people in accounting saw the projects that resulted from numerous checks to contractors.   Purchasing saw the results of their bid documents and employees from Human Resources recognized that they hired the staff to oversee programs and maintain these new parks. The list goes on and on.  It was truly a fun day that ended with a light lunch.  The employees really let me know how much they appreciated the tour and how they felt that they were a part of the city’s success.  

What skills and aptitudes do you think are most important for people serving in local government administration?   What has worked best for you in your long career? 

It is important to study public, business or finance administration.  However, regardless of how educated you are or whatever expertise you may possess, you have to have the ability to work well with all people (the good, the bad, and the ugly).  The most successful people I admire have three things in common -- wisdom (and God gives it freely to anyone who asks), patience, and a genuine concern for the people who work for them and for the people they serve. 

You are as good as the people who work for you and therefore you must surround yourself with knowledgeable professionals.  I have a high performing professional team who wants to make a difference in the community and they have been successful.    

What challenges and opportunities has the economic downturn brought for your area?  How is all of this affecting the day-to-day operation of local government? 

My challenges are the continued erosion of revenues and the fact that residents have grown accustomed to a level of service that they do not want to cut.  On the other hand, they don’t want their taxes raised.    Prior to the downturn of the economy, our residents told us that they wanted more green space (parks), a swimming pool, a new library and cultural center, and citywide beautification.   We did everything they asked for and now that the economy has declined, now what?  Do we close the parks, swimming pool, eliminate cultural center programs, and delay landscaping?  We had layoffs about two years ago, and we simply cannot layoff any more employees without significantly impacting services to our community.  We have done some internal belt tightening where all employees will make some sacrifices to save jobs.  The opportunity that this has brought forth is that we have implemented performance measures citywide and we are talking more about regional services in the area of police and fire (the most costly service in our budget).   

What do you do to relax when you can take a break from the job?

I am very involved in the Women’s Ministry at my church (First Baptist Fort Lauderdale).  I find that the fellowship with ladies from all walks of life and the reading/study materials are uplifting and motivating.  I enjoy spending time with my husband and family.  I also enjoy reading.  I have read a couple of books lately that I have been recommending to anyone who will listen.  The books are “The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success,” and “The Noticer,” by Andy Andrews.   They are quick reads but very impactful.