Stuart screening committee names chair, votes to invite seven candidates to interview for environmental attorney post

The Environmental Attorney Screening Committee for the City of Stuart appointed Max Stuckey chair and voted to invite seven applicants for in-person interviews as it moves to fill a new, full-time environmental attorney position.

The panel, meeting March 13, 2025, also received procedural guidance from City Attorney Lee Baggett and set conditions for interviews, including a request that at least one candidate clarify how quickly they could reinstate active Florida Bar membership if needed. Baggett told the committee he would serve as legal counsel to the group rather than as a voting member. "I was asked by the commission to be on the board, but I resigned quickly thereafter so that I could act as legal counsel for this committee slash board," Baggett said.

The selection of Stuckey as chair was moved and seconded during the meeting and carried without opposition. After the committee discussed candidates’ resumes, backgrounds and relative strengths, commissioners moved and approved an invitation to interview seven applicants; the motion included a condition that one candidate who currently lists inactive Florida Bar status must be able to reinstate active Florida Bar membership within 60 days to remain eligible for interview.

Why it matters

The city created the position to give Stuart a dedicated, in-house environmental lawyer to pursue long-term legal strategy on…