The Daytona Beach Shores City Commission voted 5‑0 on Nov. 25 to authorize Vice Mayor Michael Polites to enter contract negotiations with interim City Manager Mike Fowler, the commission announced at a special meeting called to consider the manager recruitment.

Vice Mayor Michael Polites, who led the recruitment, said he reviewed about 39 applicants and favored promoting from within. "I make a motion to allow Michael Fowler to be our next city manager to take us to the next level," Polites said during the meeting.

The motion on the floor was amended to direct the vice mayor to negotiate a contract and return it to the full commission for consideration rather than immediately appointing a manager. A staff member advising the commission said that the amendment was the proper procedure; she added that the proposed action was legally permissible. "It definitely is legal," the staff member told commissioners when asked about potential legal issues.

Commissioners who spoke during the discussion praised Fowler's work as interim manager and his prior public safety leadership. One commissioner with a long public‑safety background said Fowler "has a real passion" for the job and expressed confidence he would remain with the city if a suitable contract is negotiated. Another commissioner said department directors and staff were unanimously supportive.

A member of the public, Sandy Kirk of Realty Pros in Daytona Beach Shores, asked the interim manager about long‑range plans; staff said a request for proposals for economic development work is underway and that more detail will appear on the Dec. 2 agenda. The acting city manager noted the commission would not likely take final action on a contract until January, when the agenda will permit returning the negotiated package for a vote.

When the roll was called on the motion to enter negotiations, the clerk announced the motion passed 5‑0. The commission did not adopt a contract at the meeting; it authorized negotiation and directed staff to return a contract for the commission's consideration at a future meeting.

Background: Mayor (name not listed in the transcript) said City Manager Kurt Swartzlander submitted his resignation in late summer and left in October, prompting the recruitment that produced roughly 39 candidates, the mayor and staff said. The commission introduced Maddie McAllister as the city's new Public Information Officer near the meeting's close and reminded the public of upcoming meetings and holiday events.

The commission adjourned after scheduling and personnel announcements. The negotiated contract and final decision are expected to return to the commission for formal consideration at a later meeting, likely in January.