Commissioners set hiring process and name acting county attorney ahead of July retirement

County Attorney Sarah Woods informed the Board of County Commissioners that she will retire in July; the board on May 20 approved steps to begin recruiting her successor and appointed Deputy County Attorney Elise Elder as acting county attorney when Woods leaves.

George Stokes, assistant county administrator, outlined a recruitment process that would use county human resources and targeted advertising through organizations such as the Florida Association of County Attorneys and other legal job sites; Stokes recommended a vetting committee to screen applicants and forward top candidates to the board for interviews. He suggested the committee include county officials and an outside legal representative; commissioners asked staff to consider one or more members from outside Martin County to avoid any perception the process favors internal succession.

The board agreed to begin advertising promptly. Commissioners discussed committee composition and asked staff to return with a final committee list after the application period. Stokes also proposed that the board appoint an acting county attorney during the recruitment period.

Commissioner Capps moved to approve the recruitment approach and the interim appointment; the board appointed Elise Elder as acting county attorney effective upon Sarah Woods’ departure and approved a 10% temporary salary increase for the acting role. The motion passed unanimously. Staff said they will coordinate the public advertisement, collect candidate materials for at least 30 days, convene a review committee to shortlist candidates and then bring the finalists back to the board for public interviews and a final appointment.