Fort Lauderdale search committee interviews seven finalists in panel sessions; one withdrew

The Fort Lauderdale City Manager Search Committee held a day of panel interviews on the city manager recruitment, interviewing seven finalists and noting one withdrawal from the pool.

The committee, chaired by Melinda Bowker, ran each candidate through a structured, 45‑minute panel interview with the same 10 questions posed in the same order to preserve procedural equity. The format allotted time for follow‑ups at the end of each interview and closed with a two‑minute candidate statement. Committee members said staff and the contracted recruitment firm collated and curated the question set and served as timekeepers.

Why it matters: The committee’s shortlist will shape which finalists the city commission will consider in later public interviews. Committee members emphasized a consistent, transparent process to compare candidates who come from a range of municipal and public‑works backgrounds.

What the committee did and how the day ran - The committee began by approving minutes for a prior meeting; the motion passed unanimously, the chair said. No names were recorded in the transcript for the mover or seconder. - The panel adhered to a strict schedule: 45‑minute interviews, 10 questions in identical order for every candidate, two minutes reserved for closing remarks, and a timekeeper to enforce limits. Committee members were encouraged to hold follow‑up questions until the end of each interview unless they were the questioner…