Auburndale commission interviews three finalists for city manager; Mayor recommends Jeff Brown, decision delayed

The City of Auburndale City Commission on Feb. 11 interviewed three finalists for the city manager post and heard candidates outline plans for managing growth, capital projects and community engagement. Mayor Alex Cam said he recommended offering the job to Jeff Brown, but the commission reached consensus to delay a final decision until the next meeting to allow members time to review materials.

The interviews began after the commission and Interim City Manager Amy Palmer introduced former City Manager Bobby Green, who led the panel. Jeff Brown, a former city manager who said Auburndale was one of three city manager jobs he would ever consider, told commissioners he wanted to “return to Polk County, to a place he knows, loves, and visits regularly” and that Auburndale’s services represent “excellence.” Brown described a hands‑on transition plan of one‑on‑one meetings with commissioners and department heads and a review of capital projects to set checkpoints. He recounted modernizing permitting processes in prior roles, saying his office worked with IT to create an online application that “cut the review time in half,” and urged using land development code review and community input to shape compatible growth.

Jeremy Marshall said he is familiar with the area, prefers managing smaller cities, and described a cautious, project‑management approach to major infrastructure work. Marshall cited experience securing roughly $9.5 million in initial grant funding for a drinking water project and described using early budget workshops and public service announcements to educate residents on difficult budget choices. He said he expects to schedule frequent one‑on‑one meetings with commissioners during his first 100 days.

Ben Ziskal presented his background as a planner and economic development professional and emphasized downtown redevelopment and the CRA as tools to shape Auburndale’s long‑term identity. He described large‑scale property assemblage and master‑planning work in another city and recounted two past investigations that led to criminal charges for officials or staff in different municipalities, using those cases to underline the importance of following process and transparency.

The commission discussed each finalist after the interviews. Mayor Cam told colleagues he valued Brown’s broad managerial experience and immediate readiness to assume the role; Vice Mayor Jordan Helms, Commissioner Travis Avery, Commissioner Sean Levy and Commissioner Crystal Tijerina said they needed more time to review notes and resumes before making a final decision. Tijerina said she appreciated specific examples of candidates’ honesty and transparency in difficult budget or personnel situations. The commission asked Mr. Green to inform the candidates that the selection would be delayed until the meeting on Monday, Feb. 16.

During the meeting the commission also recessed briefly at 8:03 p.m. and reconvened at 8:13 p.m. After the deliberation the City Attorney confirmed procedural steps for placing the finalist decision on the next agenda and the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

The commission did not take a formal hiring vote at the Feb. 11 meeting. The next procedural step is the Feb. 16 meeting when commissioners expect to revisit the finalist selection and consider making an employment offer.