Brevard commissioners appoint Jim Lisenfeldt county manager, 5-0

The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 Aug. 12 to appoint Acting County Manager Jim Lisenfeldt as county manager and directed Chairman Feltner and the county attorney to negotiate contract details for board consideration. Commissioner Goodson made the motion and Commissioner Delaney seconded; the board recorded unanimous support.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment and commissioner debate about whether to complete a concurrent national search. Supporters who spoke during the meeting included Wendy Ellis, who said Lisenfeldt’s work “builds trust,” and Marcus Herman, chair of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, who told commissioners Lisenfeldt “can hit the ground running.” Rick Heffelfinger and other speakers urged the board to continue or complete the national search the commission had already authorized.

County staff described the firm-led search process the board previously approved; speakers at the meeting cited a search contract and candidate pool numbers discussed by staff and commissioners. Commissioners referenced contract terms for the retained search firm, including an approximate total fee discussed on the record and a termination provision; staff said the contract includes a 14-day termination clause and that portions of the search work had been completed.

During debate, Commissioner Delaney said she supported continuing the search to ensure the public and candidates had their opportunity to be considered. Commissioner Goodson and Chairman Feltner argued Lisenfeldt had demonstrated the ability to lead the organization during the interim period, citing recent work on the county budget and a firefighters’ contract as examples. Lisenfeldt spoke briefly after the vote, thanking the board and saying he was “humbled” and committed to supporting county employees and operations.

Formal action: the board’s motion appointed Lisenfeldt and authorized the chair and county attorney to “work out the details” of a contract and return with the negotiated terms for board approval. The board recorded the vote as 5 yes, 0 no.

The appointment does not itself publish contract terms or an effective start date; those details will return to a future meeting for ratification after the chair and county attorney complete negotiations.