Clearwater council unanimously selects SGR to run city attorney search

The Clearwater City Council voted unanimously Jan. 27 to hire SGR to conduct the search for the city's next city attorney, moving forward without a separate formal RFP after staff advised the council that the city's procurement code allows an "impractical purchases" exception.

Council members opened discussion after HR director Tiffany Macris reported staff received three proposals listed in the meeting packet: SGR; an entry rendered in the transcript as "Major Lindsay in Africa"; and S. Renee Narlock and Associates. Macris said staff reached out to Baker Gilmore but received no response.

The Mayor said he personally favored SGR and urged the council to begin the search promptly to avoid delaying interim coverage after the incumbent's resignation. An unidentified city staff speaker explained that, under Clearwater's purchasing code, expenditures over $50,000 generally require an RFP but that the code allows an exception for impractical purchases; the speaker said two proposals were under $50,000 and one was over that threshold. The same speaker recommended opening the decision to public comment because it is a proposition before the council.

Councilmember Albritton and Councilmember Cotton voiced support for SGR. Cotton said SGR's recruiters have deep local-government experience and that the firm appeared to fit Clearwater's needs; the Vice Mayor and Councilman Menino also expressed support while noting differences among the proposals. Menino flagged that SGR operates as a 100% remote firm and said that could create communication gaps, though he acknowledged SGR's Florida placements. Members discussed negotiable contract terms such as stakeholder interviews, face-to-face finalist interviews, and background checks.

Council members also discussed placement guarantees in the proposals. An unidentified speaker read SGR's proposal language stating that if the city is not satisfied "we will repeat the entire process 1 additional time. You'll be charged only for expenses," and that if a candidate vetted by SGR resigns or is released within 12 months, SGR will commit to one additional search charging only expenses. Council members noted Renee Narlock's proposal included a similar 12-month guarantee with differing cost terms.

Councilmember Cotton moved to accept SGR's proposal for the city attorney search; an audible second was recorded but the seconding member was not named on the record. During public comment, resident Mr. Haluba urged the council not to rush the process, saying appointments should be made "solely on the basis of merit and fitness" and that "shortcuts and ignorance of the city charter should not be tolerated." He also said he did not believe Owen Koehler should be considered.

After public comment, the Mayor called the vote and the council responded "Aye." The Mayor declared the vote unanimous; the motion to engage SGR was approved. HR director Tiffany Macris said HR will obtain the contract as written unless the council requests negotiated changes and will coordinate meetings between the firm and each council member.

The council's next steps include finalizing a contract with the selected recruiter, scheduling individual meetings between council members and the recruiter to set candidate criteria, and proceeding with the search. No changes to the city's procurement code were made at the meeting.