BOCC Special Meeting (2025-09-15)

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Special Meeting September 15, 2025 Convened: 10:00 AM Adjourned: 10:25 AM 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM by Chair Jamie Fowler, District No. 4. Present Commissioner Jamie Fowler, District 4; Commissioner Larry Leet, District 2; Commissioner James Clasby, District 1; Commissioner Erin Lowry, District 3; Commissioner Cathy Townsend, District 5 Also Present Katherine Barbieri, Interim County Attorney George Landry, County Administrator Mayte Santamaria, Deputy County Administrator Michael Manning, Innovation & Performance Navigator S. Renee Narloch, Narloch & Associates Sydney Halleran, Agenda Coordinator Vera Smith, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Fowler opened the meeting for public comment at this time. With no one wishing to address the Board, Chair Fowler closed public comment. 4. REGULAR AGENDA A. ADMINISTRATION 1. Selection of Finalists for the County Attorney Position Michael Manning, Innovation and Performance Navigator, along with S. Renee Narloch of Narloch & Associates, presented the proposed application submissions and recommended finalists for the vacant County Attorney position to the Board. To date, a professional recruitment brochure has been published detailing the County's organizational structure, leadership, community profile, qualifications, and expectations for the next County Attorney. The initial recruitment period ended on August 25, 2025, during which 15 candidates applied. Of these, three candidates were recommended for an interview:

BOCC Special Meeting Monday, September 15, 2025 10:00 AM 2 | P a g e • Hasan, Rhonda Montoya • Hockman, Eric • Levine, Judith Ms. Narloch provided the detailed criteria used to vet the candidates, including board-certified local/city government experience, leadership style, management, eligibility to practice law, disciplinary actions, Nexus article search, background, and political neutrality. In a summary overview, Ms. Narloch described each candidate in alphabetical order. First, Rhonda Hassan was described as a Senior Assistant Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, with experience in Miami Beach and a law degree from the University of Miami. Second, Mr. Eric Hoffman is a board-certified attorney with 15 years of experience at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman, P.L., holding a Juris Doctor (JD) from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Lastly, Judith Levine is a senior legal counsel at the South Florida Water Management District, previously working at the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Broward Sheriff's Office. Staff recommended that the Board review the list of candidates and select candidates for the finalist shortlist. Commissioner Townsend agreed with the consultant's recommendations and mentioned a fourth candidate, local attorney Johnny Anastasio. The Board discussed the assessment of the candidates' political neutrality and the criteria used to determine it. Concerns were expressed regarding the political backgrounds/beliefs of some candidates. The Board also discussed the importance of longevity in the position and the need for a candidate who can stay long-term, concerns/expectations of candidates, the interview process, social media reviews, and the current County Attorney staff joining the interview process. Each commissioner was provided with a ballot preference sheet and was directed to indicate the top candidate believed to be the best choice. Ms. Narloch announced each Commissioner's selected candidates from the selection sheets by ranking. Candidate Chair Fowler Vice-Chair Leet Commissioner Clasby Commissioner Lowry Commissioner Townsend Total Hasan, Rhonda Montoya 2 2 " 2 3 Hockman, Eric 1 1 " 2 1 4 Levine, Judith 3 3 " 3 3 Anastasio, John 4 " 4 2 Feit, Deborah " 1 1 The Board continued to discuss additional candidates for the interview process, expressing dissatisfaction and suggesting reopening the recruitment process if unsatisfied with the candidates. With no further questions or comments by the Board, a motion was made to approve the top 3 selections for an interview.

BOCC Special Meeting Monday, September 15, 2025 10:00 AM 3 | P a g e A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation, and it passed (4) to (1). RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commissioner District 5 Cathy Townsend SECONDER: Commissioner District 2 Larry Leet AYES: Jamie Fowler, Larry Leet, Erin Lowry, Cathy Townsend NAYS: James Clasby EXCUSED: None 2. Selection of County Attorney Finalists Interview Schedule Michael Manning, Innovation and Performance Navigator, presented the recommended sample schedule for the selection process involving three candidates to interview for the vacant County Attorney position. The schedule includes one-on-one interviews with each Commissioner in the morning, a lunch with legal and senior staff, and a public meeting in the afternoon where candidates present and face questions from the Board. Staff recommended that the Board approve the final schedule or provide direction on any schedule modifications. The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this matter. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation, and it passed unanimously. RESULT: APPROVE MOVER: Commissioner District 3 Erin Lowry SECONDER: None AYES: Jamie Fowler, Larry Leet, James Clasby, Erin Lowry, Cathy Townsend NAYS: None EXCUSED: None 5. MOTION TO ADJOURN With no other information to be brought for consideration before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 AM. Please note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, which are available for inspection upon request.