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Edgewater council pauses city manager search for six months after split votes over interviewing finalists
Summary
After debate and public comment on whether to interview two finalists from SGR or reopen the national search, the Edgewater City Council voted unanimously to pause the manager search for six months and continue the citizen advisory committee; an earlier motion to interview the two finalists failed on a 3‑2 vote.
The Edgewater City Council on June 6 debated whether to proceed with two finalists presented by recruiting firm SGR or to reopen the national search for city manager. After extended council comment and public testimony, the council voted unanimously to pause the search for six months, through hurricane and budget season, and to direct SGR to reopen the search at the end of that period.
Council discussion covered contract terms, travel costs to bring finalists to Edgewater, the small remaining candidate pool and the value of hiring someone with hurricane and stormwater experience. City attorney Aaron Wolfe reviewed the SGR contract structure as a fixed fee of $27,900 payable in four installments and noted the agreement includes a placement guarantee and a termination‑for‑convenience clause that may allow the city to cancel with 30 days' notice while paying for work completed.
Kevin, SGR's representative on the call, clarified that "we will reopen this search as part of the initial service with no additional professional fee, just the incremental cost for the candidates," and that the performance guarantee applies after a hire. Kevin also said one of the two finalists does have Florida hurricane experience.
Councilmembers split on whether to fly in and interview the two finalists now. A motion to accept interviewing two applicants produced this roll call: Mayor DePauw — No; Councilwoman Gillis — No; Councilman Thomas — No; Councilwoman Dalbo — Yes; Councilman Rainbird — Yes. That motion did not pass. Later the council passed a motion to pause the search for six months; the roll call recorded all five members voting Yes.
During public comment several residents urged the council to continue the national search and cited the original applicant pool and the importance of hurricane experience. The council also agreed to keep the previously appointed citizen search committee in place.
The council's formal action was recorded as a six‑month pause; staff will coordinate with SGR about re‑advertising and the advisory committee and will return to the council as required. The meeting adjourned following that vote.
