Juno Beach council deadlocks on town manager hire; discussion continued to Dec. 17

Council members deadlocked 2–2 on Dec. 12 when a motion to hire Darren Caldwell as Juno Beach town manager failed. The vote came after the council learned one finalist, Jay Budaswar, had withdrawn from the search, leaving Caldwell as the primary remaining candidate.

Several council members and residents urged caution: some argued that Florida and coastal municipal experience are important for handling development, emergency management and county relationships, while others raised salary concerns and questioned whether the town should reopen the search. A search consultant told council the firm’s fixed fee covered the current search but that a new or extended recruitment would require scope changes.

A council member moved to appoint Caldwell; another seconded. Roll call produced two votes in favor and two opposed, and the motion failed. Councilors said they will revisit the hiring question at the Dec. 17 meeting after accepting applications for the vacant council seat so that a full five‑member council can participate in the final manager decision.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged both sides: some recommended restarting a broader search and removing a strict Florida‑experience requirement; others supported Caldwell’s leadership experience and recommended the council seek consensus if a candidate is selected.

The council left the item on the agenda for Dec. 17 and asked staff to outline options — including contacting prior finalists or reopening recruitment — so members can discuss next steps with a potentially full bench of councilors in place.