Board appoints Elise Elder as Martin County attorney after committee recommendation; 4-1 vote

Martin County commissioners voted 4–1 on Oct. 21 to appoint Elise Elder as the county attorney, following a months‑long national search and a unanimous recommendation from a selection committee made up of the clerk of court, sheriff, a former Palm Beach County attorney and the county administrator.

The decision concludes a search that began with a May 30 public advertisement and proceeded through screening interviews and a final interview process; two previously shortlisted candidates accepted other positions and withdrew. The selection committee — Clerk Carolyn Timmon, Sheriff John Budensee, former Palm Beach County attorney Denise Neiman and County Administrator Don Donaldson — recommended Elder unanimously to the board.

The board’s motion to appoint Elder was moved by Commissioner Campey and seconded; commissioners Capps, Campey, Vargas and Hetherington voted in favor. Chair Hurd voted against the appointment, citing concerns raised during public comment about Elder’s conduct in a past county trial; Elder apologized publicly and said she regretted any past conduct that had caused concern.

Why this matters: The county attorney is one of two senior county hires (the other is the county administrator) and provides legal counsel on land use, contracts, policy, litigation and intergovernmental matters. Commissioners and city officials who spoke during the selection process praised Elder’s institutional knowledge of county ordinances and previous service in the county attorney’s office.

What the selection committee and supporters said - Don Donaldson, county administrator, told the board the selection committee narrowed applicants to three interviewees and conducted in‑person interviews; ethical concerns eliminated other candidates earlier in the process. He said the committee voted unanimously to recommend Elder. - Commissioner Campey, who made the motion, cited Elder’s resume, community involvement and managerial aptitude, saying she "will fit very nicely into our long history of excellent representation." He noted the committee’s work and the letter of support from Denise Neiman as persuasive. - Sheriff John Budensee told the board he valued an attorney who can "see the problem, tell you the truth and move the organization forward," and described an instance where Elder identified and corrected an operational vulnerability involving courtroom camera placement.

Questions and dissent - Chair Hurd said she would not support Elder, telling the board during public comment that she witnessed disruptive courtroom behavior by Elder during a trial several years earlier. Hurd's objection, and one public speaker’s account of courtroom conduct, shaped her dissenting vote. - Elder addressed the board near the meeting’s end: "I just want to... apologize if I did anything to you in the past or anything to any employee... I am truly sorry if I ever gave that impression," she said.

Process notes and next steps - The county administrator and selection committee recommended appointment after advertising the position, applying screening criteria and interviewing finalists. Two finalists withdrew when they accepted other positions elsewhere, leaving Elder as the final candidate from the original pool of seven applicants. - The board ratified the appointment by roll call. The motion passed 4–1 with Chair Hurd dissenting.

Ending: The appointment installs a long-serving deputy county attorney in the county’s top legal post; commissioners emphasized the need for a county attorney who can manage litigation, advise on land-use and regulatory matters and support county departments and constitutional officers.