St. Lucie County commissioners advance Interim County Attorney Catherine Barbieri and authorize contract negotiations

The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners voted at a special meeting to move Interim County Attorney Catherine Barbieri forward for appointment and to authorize administration to negotiate a contract, following an update from the county's recruitment consultant.

Renee Narloch of Renee Narloch and Associates told the board the initial slate of three candidates had withdrawn and a second outreach produced nine applicants. Narloch singled out one new applicant, Michael Mortel, saying after a preliminary interview, "I do think that he's a very solid candidate as far as his experience is concerned." She described Mortel's background as city attorney for the City of Stuart from about 2013 to 2023, then city manager in 2023, and said he separated from the city in October.

Consultant Narloch also reported she had regular conversations with Interim County Attorney Catherine Barbieri over the previous 60 to 90 days and described Barbieri as "very solid," noting her long service in the county attorney's office. Narloch told the board they could both continue interviewing external candidates or consider appointing an internal candidate.

During discussion, Commissioner Townsend said the board should follow policy and be fair to internal applicants but asked that Barbieri "officially submit a resume to the consultant so that...she's 1 of the applicants." Commissioner Lee and others echoed the need to respect the process; several commissioners emphasized succession planning so the county attorney develops internal legal staff who can step up in future years.

County counsel/administration advised the board it has discretion to appoint an interim internally or proceed with a consultant-led search and explained that if the board wished to appoint internally, it could do so and then direct HR and administration to negotiate contract terms and return to the board.

A motion to appoint Catherine Barbieri and advance contract negotiations was made and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and commissioners responded in the affirmative. County administration said a separate step would be required to finalize and present contract parameters to the board for approval. Ms. Barbieri thanked the board, saying she looked forward to contributing in the role.

The board took no detailed roll-call vote on the record in the transcript; the action was recorded as a voice vote to advance Barbieri to the county attorney position and to begin contract negotiations, with administration and HR to bring back contract terms for formal approval at a future meeting.