Fort Lauderdale finalists interviewed for city manager; Raquel Williams receives five first‑place votes in preliminary ranking

Fort Lauderdale City Commission members interviewed two finalists for city manager at a conference meeting on Feb. 4 and, following private ranked ballots, the clerk announced Raquel Williams received five first‑place votes. The commission said it will hold a formal vote on appointment at the regular meeting later the same day.

The interviews gave commissioners a chance to question the finalists on priorities including smart growth, infrastructure, emergency management, economic development and affordable housing. Raquel Williams, assistant city manager for the city of Miami Beach, told the commission she hoped to bring stability and consensus building to the manager’s office: “it is my hope that I would be able to fill this role and to promote consensus building, promote staff development, and also push Fort Lauderdale to its next level of success,” she said.

The search process began with a larger…