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Atlantic Beach commissioners set timeline for city‑manager search firm picks and direct HR to aggregate inquiries
Summary
Commissioners agreed to email HR their top search‑firm picks and specific questions so HR can compile responses for the May 26 meeting; debate centered on whether commissioners should interview firms directly or rely on staff interviews because of Sunshine Law constraints.
The Atlantic Beach City Commission discussed next steps in the city‑manager recruitment process at its May 11 meeting and established a process for narrowing search‑firm candidates.
Commissioner Bold asked each commissioner to submit their top three search‑firm choices to HR (Bob) by Friday or, at the latest, the following Wednesday so staff could analyze and produce a digest for the commission. "If you could get your three top picks of the search firm into Bob in HR by Friday, if possible," Bold said.
Commissioners debated whether to interview firms as a full commission or rely on staff interviews and a compiled presentation. Mayor Curtis Ford noted that outside of a noticed meeting commissioners cannot all confer together because of Florida's Sunshine Law: "You could each individually Zoom or Teams ... but you can't come together as 3 of us, 4 of us, or 5 of us" outside a noticed meeting. Several commissioners said they trusted staff's professional evaluation but wanted additional reference checks and for HR to call cities where firms had placements.
The group settled on a practical path: each commissioner will email HR their firm choices and any specific questions; Bob will aggregate the inputs, attempt to compile common items into the next agenda packet and present findings at the May 26 meeting. Commissioners suggested staff conduct reference calls and prepare an analysis so the body can consider a short list at a subsequent meeting.
Why it matters: Selecting a search firm is the first step in a high‑impact recruitment that will shape city leadership. Commissioners balanced the desire for direct vetting with legal constraints on collective deliberation outside posted meetings.
Next steps: Commissioners to deliver firm selections and questions to HR; staff will aggregate responses and provide an agenda packet update for May 26 to allow further deliberation and possible shortlisting.
