Jacksonville Beach appoints Molly Allager as city clerk effective May 20

The Jacksonville Beach City Council on May 20 approved the city manager’s appointment of Molly Allager as city clerk, effective May 20, 2025.

Deputy City Manager Karen Nelson summarized the recruitment: the city posted the clerk position nationally from Feb. 27–March 31 and received 109 applicants; 12 met minimum qualifications and eight had clerk-office experience. A screening panel conducted telephone and in-person interviews. The panel extended an offer first to an external candidate who declined for family reasons; the panel then offered the job to internal candidate Molly Allager, whom management selected for her leadership and managerial experience in the city manager’s office.

Nelson said Allager has worked in the city manager’s office since 2021 and has supported elected officials, department directors and staff across the organization. Council members praised outgoing City Clerk Sherry Gosselin for her service and congratulated Allager. Council Member Sutton asked that similar appointments not be placed on the consent agenda in the future so council discussion occurs in open session; Nelson said the recruitment included consultation with Gosselin before she left the country and retired.

Councilors voted on a motion to approve the appointment; the roll call was unanimous in favor. The council asked when Allager’s prior position would be posted; staff said the posting would go out the following day. No salary or employment contract details were presented on the meeting record.

The council offered personal remarks thanking Gosselin for her service and welcoming Allager; a photo was planned after the meeting.