The meeting centered on selecting a financial auditing service, a decision initiated by a Request for Proposals (RFP-26-04-FN) process. The council received five submissions by the January 7, 2026, deadline. The firms under consideration were Carr Riggs and Ingram, Citroen Cooperman, Hill, Bar, and King, and Molden and Jenkins. The selection advisory committee, chaired by Vice Mayor Scott Safford, was tasked with ensuring that each firm met the mandatory criteria outlined in the RFP before proceeding to the scoring phase.

A point of discussion was the evaluation of Hill, Bar, and King. The committee scrutinized the firm’s references, which included only a university, raising doubts about their experience with local government entities in Florida. Safford and other members expressed concern that this did not adequately demonstrate the firm’s relevant experience. Additionally, Hill, Bar, and King had previously conducted consulting work for the town in 2022, which raised questions among committee members about potential conflicts of interest. Although the firm’s quality control review report was deemed satisfactory, there was a consensus that the lack of specificity regarding their government work experience warranted their exclusion from further consideration.

A motion was made to advance the other four firms and exclude Hill, Bar, and King from further consideration, which received unanimous support. This decision was bolstered by observations that Hill, Bar, and King’s proposal had deficiencies in customization and adherence to the proposal instructions. Some members remarked on their high expenses. Hill’s final score was lower than the others.

As the council moved forward with the rankings of the remaining firms, Malden and Jenkins emerged as the preferred choice. Their familiarity with local needs and previous performance in post-hurricane engagements were highlighted as significant factors. Members noted that continuing with Malden and Jenkins would ensure efficiency and continuity, given their positive track record and favorable pricing. This preference was reflected in the scores, with Malden and Jenkins receiving the highest score of 593, followed by Citroen Cooperman with 548, and Carr Riggs and Ingram with 532. The council unanimously agreed to recommend these top three firms to the town manager for negotiations.

The meeting also addressed the timing of the audit kickoff, acknowledging that it was late for a fiscal year ending September 30th. Concerns were raised about staff turnover and the absence of a contracts person, which had delayed the process. A member emphasized the urgency to move forward, stating, “by the time this got around, it’s here we are,” underscoring the need to expedite the process with the familiar firm, Malden and Jenkins.