Titusville Council Debates City Manager Search Amid Community Input Concerns

The Special City Council Meeting held on July 19, 2025, in Titusville, Florida, focused primarily on the ongoing search for a new city manager and the implications of the current interim management situation. The meeting began with discussions surrounding the potential reopening of the search for a permanent city manager, following concerns raised by council members and citizens regarding transparency and the integrity of the hiring process.

One council member expressed the need to reconsider the decision to suspend the search, emphasizing that halting the process could lead to negative perceptions about the legitimacy of the hiring decision. They highlighted the importance of ensuring that the city’s reputation remains intact and suggested that reopening the search could enhance community involvement and trust in the process.

Public comments were also made, with local business owner Mark Frank voicing his support for the current interim manager. He praised the city council for their efforts and noted the growth he has witnessed in Titusville over the past two decades. Frank argued that the city should not waste resources searching for new candidates when a qualified individual is already in place.

Following public comments, the council decided to take a recess to allow members to meet one-on-one with executive leadership teams. This session aimed to gather feedback from department heads regarding the hiring process and their expectations for a new city manager.

Upon reconvening, council members engaged in further discussions about the search process. Vice Mayor Cole noted the difficulty in making decisions and acknowledged the loss of candidates during the search, indicating a need for a more thorough evaluation of the resumes submitted.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the search for a new city manager, with an emphasis on enhancing citizen participation and ensuring a transparent process moving forward. The council's next steps will involve assessing the feedback received during the recess and determining how best to proceed with the hiring process.