Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
New Clermont City Manager Brian Bulthuis has gotten a very quick jump start to guide Clermont into the future. Bulthuis has actively met with residents, City Council, the Mayor, the Police and Fire Departments and attended almost every city event. Bulthuis noted, “I am excited to get involved at every level and not just sit at a desk. I love to be involved with our city and county to look at the big picture and to get things accomplished. I have enjoyed getting to know as many people as possible and I know that everyone has some special value to help our city move forward.”
Coming to Clermont with approximately 35 years of applied knowledge in city management, Bulthuis believes he knows there are plenty of advantages, challenges and solutions to help the residents successfully move forward. He noted that one of the top challenges facing the city of Clermont is Phase Three of the Clermont City Streetscape. In addition to still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, he is working on the Wellness Way project that includes Olympus and with Clermont City Council and the Planning Commission to accomplish the comprehensive long-term Master Plan for the entire city.
He said he is exploring options to maintain or improve employee healthcare and notes that employee healthcare remains a costly local and national problem with no perfect solution to be self-insured or insured with a group plan. Another challenge he faces is the city’s affordable housing concerns.
Bulthuis has jumped in to address the important salary challenges for city employees, including the Police and Fire Departments, personally meeting with all groups to resolve any current situations while working within the current city budget constraints. He says, “We love our city employees, our police and fire departments! They are a great group of dedicated individuals and teams, so we must start to address these issues ASAP.”
He and the city have hired some new people to fill open positions since he took office, including some for the Parks & Recreation Department. For interested job seekers, Bulthuis recommends keeping an eye on job openings posted on the Clermont City website. He has started to strategically work on attracting more police staff employees to keep residents safely protected.
Bulthuis is initiating creative new strategies to entice new employees for the Clermont City Water & Waste Treatment facility. The city will train and educate qualified candidates, especially for those interested in a designated career path. The city will help everyone with minimum qualifications to get certified as well as to take those with experience to a higher level of expertise. Even though it is not a current challenge, he is reviewing plans to enhance staff retention.
Bulthuis shares, “I know we have great people! I want to get out to meet as many people as possible. I want to open the doors of communications, so we can learn and understand all sides to any proposed new project or past issue. We need to review and take advantage of the valuable people we have here with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.” He adds that everyone should know and take advantage of the city services, parks, lakes, hills, trails, clubs, organizations, events and festivals that are offered.
Bulthuis notes that Clermont has four different quadrants and assets in every corner. “Clermont is a great family community! It’s a great place to work. It offers wonderful opportunities for residents and workers to get out of their homes to enjoy the benefits of Clermont. We have a fabulous Clermont Performing Arts & Recreation Center that would make any city envious of what we can offer our South Lake area citizens with top quality and big-name entertainment, theatre, shows and pop culture events. Our Clermont Downtown offers plenty of activities, shopping and services. I am very excited that we are expanding the benefits here with our new Clermont Main Street program that has just begun to launch with a major rebranding campaign while taking advantage of benefits from the National Main Street programs. Our Clermont Downtown Streetscape program will soon begin on Montrose between 7th and 8th Streets, which will take most of this year to complete. We are still looking into developing the Downtown Clermont Art District. We truly have so many assets, I really do want to help promote, communicate and publicize”.
Bulthuis adds, “We are lucky to be Clermontians! We must continue to celebrate the diversity of our citizens with special events and services. We need to remain an open friendly and welcoming community. Even though it is always easy to find flaws, l want everyone to enjoy the positive advantages, opportunities and options here in Clermont. I want everyone to be proud to live here in Clermont. Clermont really is a very special place. We must celebrate what makes us and our city so special, and use this to help us unite as we go forward.”
For Information on Clermont City Manager Brian Bulthuis, Clermont City Council and the City of Clermont events, visit https://www.clermontfl.gov/.
