Boca Raton council selects Mark Soheny as city manager finalist, directs contract talks

The Boca Raton City Council on Aug. 12 agreed to move forward with Mark Soheny as its next city manager, directing staff to negotiate an employment agreement to be returned to the council for final approval.

The move followed a special meeting devoted entirely to interviews with five finalists for the city manager post. Mayor Singer said the meeting’s purpose was “to conduct interviews for the position of city manager,” and council members spent several hours questioning candidates about large-scale projects, public safety, budgets and communications.

Council members said the final choice reflected different strengths across finalists and a desire for an executive able to lead complex infrastructure projects and steward the city’s finances. Council members asked the city manager and city attorney to prepare an employment contract and directed Mayor Singer to work with staff as a contract facilitator; the council set a target to return a proposed agreement for public consideration in September.

The council’s action was recorded by unanimous voice vote after Mayor Singer moved to appoint Soheny and Councilmember Thomas seconded the motion. The text of the motion, as stated during the meeting, was "I would move that we appoint Mark Sohandy to be the next city manager." The council clarified during the public discussion that the appointment is subject to completion of a negotiated employment agreement and a formal vote on that contract at a future public meeting.

What candidates were asked and why

Council members tested finalists on seven core areas: reasons for seeking the job; leadership experience; managing concurrent, large-scale infrastructure and redevelopment projects; disaster and crisis recovery; public safety and bargaining-unit experience; sustaining world-class service levels amid fiscal pressures; and communications and transparency.

David Deutsch of Mercer Group Associates, the council’s search consultant, told the panel that finalists should be asked substantially the same questions to preserve parity among interviews. Mayor Singer, council members and the consultant stressed fairness in the process and confirmed the public was given the opportunity to observe the interviews.

Next steps and transition

Council members who spoke publicly after the interviews said they appreciated the five finalists and the range of experience represented. Several council members asked staff to pursue a phased transition plan that would allow outgoing City Manager George Brown to assist in onboarding the new manager; Brown told the council he intends to remain available through at least Jan. 4, 2026, and said he would work with the new manager on a mutually agreeable handover.

Council members also discussed a residential proximity expectation for the incoming manager and suggested language that the new manager maintain a primary residence within the city or within a short radius (the council discussed five miles) within one year of hire.

The council’s direction to negotiate an employment agreement does not yet create an enforceable contract. Any final employment terms must be returned to the full council for public consideration and approval at a subsequent meeting.