Palm Coast council interviews finalist Richard Huff for city manager; focuses on infrastructure, emergency preparedness

Palm Coast City Council members interviewed finalist Richard Huff for the city manager position at a special workshop on Thursday, April 24, at City Hall's John Netz Community building. Huff, introduced by the council's recruitment consultant, delivered a 10‑minute presentation and answered roughly an hour of council questions in a 90‑minute session scheduled for each finalist.

Huff framed the first year of city management as "a chance to set expectations and demonstrate steady leadership," saying he intends "to build trust quickly with both the council and our staff through clear communication, disciplined follow through and transparency." He told the council he would prioritize infrastructure projects, an organizational review, workforce development and improved project delivery.

The interview is part of a multi‑month search run by a consultant that included questionnaires, video interviews, reference checks and criminal‑background screening. The consultant, Doug Thomas,…