KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - City Manager Scott Kornegay told council members, friends and residents he would apply for the open county manager position, but he didn’t plan on leaving Keystone Heights.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, several of Kornegay’s constituents declared support for their city manager of three years.

Former Clay County School Board Member thanked Kornegay for his help with a zoning issue. Keystone Heights Airport Board Chairman David Kirkland called Kornegay the best liaison the airport has had from the city. Save Our Lakes President Vivian James said she was enthused Kornegay attended St. Johns Water management District meetings after years she insisted the city had representation.

Kornegay said he wasn’t interested in jobs in other counties. He thanked everyone for their confidence in him.

“We have made great strides. A lot of things are in the works and have yet to come to fruition. I have no interest in walking away from that,” Kornegay said. “I will apply for the county manager job. I believe I can do some good there. I am not actively seeking leaving the city, because this is really where I want to be.”

Tony Brown, a former mayor and council member, is running unopposed for Council Member Steve Brown’s seat. Tony Brown said he was excited for Kornegay and what he’s accomplished.

“On the other hand, I’m kind of saddened. I’ve been a part of the community for a long time and I’ve seen managers come and managers go,” Brown said. “This past four or five years, we’ve seen a change in communication and that’s one of the biggest things we were lacking.”

Council Member Stephen Hart agreed with Brown’s recommendation to begin Kornegay’s evaluation process.

“He’s a hard worker. My personal feeling is, I hope he stays,” Hart said. “That then will give us some guidance should Scott decide to stay, but I think we need to get that process going.”

Other council members voiced support of Kornegay’s job, varying in length.

“The city manager of Keystone Heights must be an individual with specialized skills in the areas of finance, operations, public safety, communications with state and county agencies and business development to help ensure the cities’ fiscal political and cultural viability,” Council Member Larry Peoples read from a prepared statement. “The city of Keystone Heights has determined that City Manager Scott Kornegay possessing these specialized skills. We desire him to remain here with the city Keystone Heights and continue perform the city manager services for the city.”

“If you go, we’ll miss you,” Council Member Marion Kelly added. “If you stay, we’ll have you.”

In other business, Kornegay updated council members on the vandalism on city property the past few months. He said he had multiple discussions with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and raised the possibility of contacting the local Crime Stoppers affiliate, an agency that offers rewards for information relating to crimes.

Kornegay said he was looking into adding a Comcast C3 Live service – a program that involves adding cameras, so that Comcast has a direct line with CCSO and law enforcement could monitor feeds in real time.

Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council member Karlibeth Leitheiser, a senior at Keystone Heights Junior Senior High, said the youth council was promoted a “Enjoy, dump, destroy,” anti-vandalism campaign. They created posters to distribute at the school.

“We can give them out to our school to speak out against vandalism and encourage kids to stay away from that kind of thing,” Leitheiser said. “It’s a very serious crime and we won’t deal with it in our community.”

Residents who see something suspicious can report possible vandalism to the Clay County Sheriff's Office at 352-473-7211 or 352-473-4807 for City Hall.