Dade City commission selects six candidates for city manager interviews; schedules July 30 sessions and requests HR vetting

At the meeting commissioners selected six candidates for interviews in the city manager recruitment process and set a preliminary interview schedule. The names the commission agreed to interview were Marika Van Ervin (current deputy city manager, internal candidate), Taylor Brown, Jeff Shoebridge, Jacob Smith, Anthony Schembri, and Anna (Anna/Alvarez) (listed as a special district deputy general manager). Commissioners discussed candidates' qualifications, prior tenure lengths, and news coverage in other jurisdictions.

Multiple commissioners said Van Ervin had earned a place at the interview table based on recent performance in interim roles. Commissioners also expressed interest in Taylor Brown and Jacob Smith; some members asked staff to review background concerns raised in media coverage about a candidate's prior separation from a different jurisdiction.

The commission discussed whether to use Zoom for out‑of‑state candidates and whether all candidates should receive the same treatment. Commissioners settled on a schedule of interviews for Wednesday, July 30, starting at 1:00 p.m., with approximately one hour per candidate (the intent is to complete sessions by early evening). Staff advised that interviews could be Zoomed from out of state and suggested using waiting rooms and breakout procedures so candidates do not hear one another's questions.

Commissioners asked HR to perform a deep vetting for each candidate to flag any concerns before in‑person interviews. Staff said they would post logistics and prepare a Zoom waiting‑room structure; commissioners directed staff to proceed with scheduling and vetting.

Ending: The commission agreed on the candidate list, scheduled interviews for July 30 at 1 p.m., and asked HR to conduct deeper background checks; staff will circulate logistics and ensure public‑meeting access protocols are followed.