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Commissioners discuss county attorney search; interim attorney considered
Summary
Commissioners said the national consultant’s search produced few qualified applicants; several commissioners expressed interest in considering interim County Attorney Catherine Barbieri for the permanent role while following hiring procedures and reviewing external applicants.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — Commissioners used Nov. 4 floor time to discuss the ongoing county attorney recruitment and succession planning after the consultant closed the national search with few candidates meeting minimum qualifications.
The county administrator said early, informal reports indicated limited qualified applicants and that one late addition merited further review. Several commissioners suggested considering internal succession, naming interim County Attorney Catherine Barbieri as a possible candidate. Commissioners emphasized following formal hiring procedures: verifying whether Barbieri submitted an application within the recruitment timeframe, comparing external applicants and providing a structured process for any internal appointment.
Commissioners also discussed succession planning and the possibility that an internal hire could smooth transition and retain institutional knowledge. Barbieri has led the interim county-attorney office and was involved in multiple agenda items at the Nov. 4 meeting.
No formal hiring decision was made; commissioners asked staff and the consultant to provide additional information and follow up prior to the board’s reorganization meeting and upcoming sessions.
