Melbourne Beach commission names Marie Smith top pick for town manager after 3–2 vote

The Melbourne Beach Town Commission selected Marie Smith as its top candidate for town manager on a 3–2 vote Wednesday after interviewing four finalists.

Commissioners first conducted a paper straw poll to identify front‑runners and narrowed the field to two finalists, Marie Smith and a candidate identified in the record as Mr. Bridle. A subsequent motion to take an immediate vote between the two carried unanimously. The final motion to offer the position to Smith passed 3–2; the commission directed the town attorney to draft an employment agreement and circulate it to commissioners for review. The commission also agreed — by motion — that if the commission cannot finalize a contract with its first choice, staff will be authorized to extend an offer to the second choice.

Mayor Allison Dennington and other commissioners thanked all four candidates for participating in the process and brought Smith back to the dais to offer congratulations. In response Smith said she was "over the moon excited" and called the selection an "amazing birthday present." The commission emphasized that the attorney will present a draft agreement within days and commissioners may call a special meeting if they seek changes before the contract is finalized.

The commission recorded the narrowing motion and the vote to proceed with the two finalists as unanimous decisions. The final selection was not unanimous; the record shows a 3–2 majority in favor of Smith. Commissioners said the salary range discussed during the process had been settled earlier and that remaining negotiations will focus on contract language such as severance and allowances. Town attorney Ryan Knight said he would circulate a proposed agreement and negotiate terms with the selected candidate.

Next steps: the attorney will send a draft agreement to commissioners; if no commissioner requests a special meeting to debate changes by the posted deadline, the contract will move forward and the town will arrange a start date in coordination with the new manager and the interim manager.