Edgewater council reopens city manager search and appoints interim from police department

Edgewater’s council on June 2 agreed to reopen the city manager search and directed staff to schedule a special meeting to review the recruiting contract with SGR before deciding whether to continue with the firm or pursue an independent search.

Council members expressed dissatisfaction with the remaining two finalists and questioned whether the city should spend additional funds to fly candidates to Edgewater. City staff confirmed that the $10,000 included in the budget amendment was a placeholder for candidate travel and that unspent funds would revert to general fund balance.

Separately, after discussion about operational pace and oversight while the city is between permanent managers, council members debated the interim city manager’s performance. The council voted to terminate Jeff Thurman’s interim city manager appointment and return him to his prior role in environmental services. In a follow‑up motion, the council voted to appoint Chief Mahoney as interim city manager. The council directed staff and legal to prepare a contract that would require Chief Mahoney to resign as police chief while holding the interim city manager appointment and to include language that would preserve the ability to return to his previous police position with no break in service when the interim assignment ends.

"I will be going back as the deputy public works director under the leadership of Sean," Thurman said after the motion; he expressed willingness to resume his prior role and to assist with a transitional handover.

Chief Mahoney indicated he would accept the interim appointment and council members asked the city attorney to draft contract language to protect his pension and allow return to the police role. The council recorded roll‑call votes on both personnel moves and asked staff to complete requisite contract and HR steps.