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After interviews, Palatka commission moves to offer interim city manager post to Cynthia Curry
Summary
Following structured interviews of three finalists, commissioners indicated Cynthia Curry was the top choice and moved to offer her a 1099 interim city manager contract with HR authorized to negotiate pay up to the current manager's salary; background check and residency waiver for interim were discussed.
The Palatka City Commission interviewed three finalists for the interim city manager role on May 21 and moved to offer the position to Cynthia Curry, who framed her candidacy around finance, grants management and stabilizing staff during transition.
Cynthia Curry told commissioners she would "walk in and own it immediately," emphasizing transparency, rapid meetings with department heads and an immediate focus on financial controls and grant timelines such as expending ARPA funds before the December 2026 deadline. Finance Director Chantel Pierre told the commission the annual financial report (ACFR) audit is underway and the city is responding to auditors' requests.
Commissioners ranked candidates after interviews; multiple commissioners named Curry their first choice. The commission voted to offer Curry an interim contract structured as a 1099 agreement and authorized HR to negotiate compensation up to the current city manager's salary. The commission discussed standard pre-offer steps: a background check, a draft contract by the city attorney and a temporary residency waiver for an interim contractor. The city attorney and HR were assigned to finalize contract details.
The commission also discussed timing: commissioners signaled they wanted an interim in place as soon as practical to help stabilize operations during the budget cycle and before looming grant and audit deadlines.
