Melbourne Beach commissioners interview three finalists for town manager; decision to follow after final session

The Melbourne Beach Town Commission on Thursday held a special session to interview three finalists for the town manager post, weighing candidates’ experience with budgets, stormwater and emergency planning, grant administration and staff management. Commissioners recessed for lunch and scheduled a final interview at 1:00 p.m.; deliberations and a vote are expected afterward.

All three candidates emphasized communication with elected officials and residents as a priority. Consultant Jim Deneen told the panel the process was structured so each candidate would be sequestered and asked the same set of 10 questions to ensure fairness: “They’ll all be sequestered so they cannot hear each other,” he said. That format framed the session and shaped commissioners’ follow-ups.

David Bridal, who described roughly 25 years in local government and multiple professional certifications, said his management approach centers on hands‑on oversight and continuous feedback for staff. He…