Clermont council ends city‑manager recruitment; directs staff to return with contract for current interim manager

The City of Clermont City Council voted 4-1 on Tuesday to terminate the active procurement for executive recruitment services and to stop the competitive search for a city manager. Council members who voted to end the RFP process said the interim city manager and his deputy have proven able to lead ongoing projects and that relying on internal talent and continuity is appropriate. Dissenting council members and several public commenters said the city should complete the advertised recruitment and selection process.

Procurement staff summarized options the council had for the executive search: continue to shortlist and negotiate with firms, or terminate the procurement and pursue alternate approaches. Several residents urged the council to complete the process, saying the city had previously promised an open recruitment and that the position merits a formal national search. Other speakers supported the staff, praising the interim leadership and asking the council to provide stability.

After the vote to terminate the procurement (4‑1), council members discussed how to formalize long‑term leadership. Council directed staff and the city attorney to prepare a permanent employment contract for the interim manager and to return to council at an upcoming meeting with proposed terms. Several council members said the existing interim contract had included renewal options and that a permanent contract should clarify termination provisions and other terms. City staff said they would prepare a contract and bring it back to council for formal approval; the manager said he would remain through the work needed to complete the budget and several major projects.

The vote to end the RFP process was 4 in favor, 1 opposed. Council members emphasized transparency in the next steps and pledged to place any permanent‑employment contract on a publicly noticed agenda for a future meeting.