Cape Canaveral council authorizes contract talks for finalist Keith Touchberry after interviews

Cape Canaveral’s City Council voted unanimously on June 27 to direct staff to prepare a contract for Keith Touchberry following public interviews with three finalists for city manager.

The council made the decision after hearing opening remarks and extended Q&A from all three finalists — Blaine Obern, Keith Touchberry and a candidate identified in the record as Mr. Taylor — and taking brief public comment. Council member Willis moved and Mayor Pro Tem Kellum seconded a motion to prepare a contract for Touchberry; the motion passed 5-0.

The vote followed repeated council emphasis on restoring trust inside the organization and with residents, addressing stormwater and infrastructure issues, and improving the city’s operational systems. During the interviews, candidates described different approaches: Obern highlighted his record of using referendums to raise local revenue and said restoring trust required transparent promises and delivery; Taylor emphasized standardizing processes and simplifying performance evaluations to improve efficiency; Touchberry, who identified himself as the police chief for Felsmere, repeatedly returned to consistency, accountability and accessibility.

"Bribery is a crime, and I take a very dim view of bribery," Touchberry said when asked how he would handle an approach from a developer. He also told council he would prioritize being present in the community and staff-accessible, saying he would "be as accessible to the community as I need to be."

Obern described several past local referendums he said he had led to raise funds for roads and fire staffing. "When you get 62% on a referendum," he said, "we were able to get funding," citing that as a method he used to rebuild trust through transparent budgeting and follow-through. Taylor summarized his approach as finding and using objective data to create shared understanding: "Find the truth that is true," he said, and then use standardized systems to move a community forward.

Public speakers at the meeting expressed both questions and preferences. Peg Schaller asked the council to ensure finalists explain "what steps do they see to regain trust," and asked about a timeline for a public employee handbook. Andrea Shea King and several other attendees publicly endorsed Touchberry, with King saying, "He will listen... He gets my vote." Resident Tamara Mollbach asked whether the finalist pool had sufficient diversity and raised concerns about record checks.

Consultant Colin Benzinger outlined the interview format before the candidates spoke and later advised the council that moving quickly could prevent losing a preferred candidate to other job offers. After public input and council discussion, the council took a formal motion to prepare a contract for Touchberry and to bring the negotiated contract back for council approval.

The next procedural step is contract negotiation; the council instructed staff and the city attorney to work with the consultant and the finalist on terms and return with a proposed employment contract for council approval. The council adjourned the special meeting at 5:07 p.m.

The council’s action does not finalize an appointment; it authorizes contract talks and requires a subsequent vote to approve any agreement.