Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Auburndale commission selects Jeff Brown as next city manager, unanimous vote
Loading...
Summary
After deliberation and public comment on Feb. 16, 2026, the Auburndale City Commission voted unanimously to select Jeff Brown as the next city manager and directed the mayor and city attorney to negotiate an employment agreement.
The City of Auburndale Commission selected Jeff Brown as the city's next city manager on Feb. 16, 2026, voting unanimously to direct the mayor and city attorney to begin contract negotiations. The action followed a public-comment period, a staff introduction of the selection process and individual statements from commissioners endorsing different finalists.
Former City Manager Bobby Green presented the process and asked commissioners to name their preferred finalists and explain their reasoning. Mayor Alex Cam and Vice Mayor Jordan Helms said Jeff Brown best met the Commission's stated need for immediate, experienced leadership; Cam cited Brown's prior city-manager experience and the need to preserve stability, and Helms said Brown gave the greatest chance of success on day one. Commissioner Crystal Tijerina said she likewise prioritized an experienced manager who could begin immediately and, after reviewing references and verifying some claims, supported Brown for fiscal and personnel leadership.
Commissioners Travis Avery and Sean Levy both expressed support for Ben Ziskal earlier in the discussion, citing his growth-management experience, local residency and community ties. Levy highlighted Ziskal's experience with downtown redevelopment and his work as Polk County's Land Development Division Director. Despite earlier differences, the body reached consensus: Commissioner Tijerina moved to select Jeff Brown, Commissioner Avery seconded, and the measure passed with all ayes.
During public comment, resident Dianna Jones thanked Vice Mayor Helms for urging deliberation and urged commissioners to choose a candidate who will make Auburndale their first choice. Jones said she was concerned by remarks she interpreted as indicating Brown applied because other positions (she referenced Cincinnati) were not available and that the city should not feel like a "backup plan." Jim Moody later praised the Commission's selection process.
Next steps are for the mayor and city attorney to negotiate an employment agreement with Jeff Brown; the motion did not include salary or contract terms, which were not discussed on the record. The meeting adjourned at 7:47:49 p.m.