The city’s consultant, referred to as Gary or Doug, outlined the selection process, which included narrowing down the candidates to a final group for in-person interviews. The candidates had undergone written questionnaires and pre-recorded video interviews. The commission was given the option to restart the search if the current candidates did not meet their expectations.

Gary Vargo, a candidate with experience as a Township manager in Pennsylvania, was discussed first. His implementation of a financial dashboard during his tenure was noted, although concerns were raised about his lack of experience in a coastal environment. Chuck Anderson, with a military background and currently serving as deputy city manager in Great Falls, Montana, was described as having strong leadership skills. However, his video interview was critiqued as stiff, and there were concerns about his community fit. Jim Slayton, the current city manager of Lake Wales, Florida, was recognized for his extensive experience, with no explicit concerns mentioned about his candidacy.

Further discussions revolved around the other candidates, including Jeff, who faced criticism for a past incident of making disparaging remarks about a community and its elected officials. Despite some empathy for Jeff’s situation, his video interview disappointed several commissioners. Ken Griffin’s extensive engineering background and education were impressive, but residency concerns and his management experience were points of debate. Lawrence MCN’s military background and experience as a county and city manager in smaller communities were considered, with some commissioners wary of his limited coastal experience. Patrick Kaminsky, a former city manager of Mount Dora, Florida, had solid credentials, but his experience with economic development and past challenges, including disagreements with the mayor and an investigation, were thoroughly discussed.

A new candidate, Paul Drake, was noted for managing large events and tourist activities. His salary expectations and short tenure in previous positions were concerns for some commissioners. The commission also reviewed candidates Scott Moy, Taylor Brown, and Ted Yates. Moy was appreciated for his experience and teaching background, despite concerns about his self-described workaholic nature. Brown’s interview performance was less dynamic, but his experience at the city manager level in Florida was a plus. Yates’s non-traditional background and preference for smaller communities sparked debate.

The commission contemplated the candidates’ career aspirations, discussing one candidate’s desire to work in larger markets versus another’s preference for a smaller, close-knit community. The importance of aligning the candidates’ professional goals with the city’s vision was emphasized. The commissioners also debated the necessity of candidates fitting into the community and clarity on salary expectations.

A discussion also took place about a finalist for the Santa Rosa Island Authority executive director position, where the candidate’s lack of experience in a city manager role was weighed against their strong background in fiscal management and labor relations. Public comments highlighted the value of experience in Florida and a focus on economic development.

The commission engaged in a detailed review of the interview process, including the importance of candidates and their spouses or partners experiencing the community. The interview schedule was discussed, which would involve meetings with senior staff, city tours, and a community meet and greet. A suggestion was made to provide a balanced perspective of the community by varying the tour guides.

Finally, the top five candidates were discussed, with a focus on Carrie Vargo and Patrick Kaminsky. A debate ensued over the scoring system and whether to use decimal points to differentiate between candidates. The commission decided to proceed with the evaluation process for the top candidates, including background checks, reference evaluations, and additional assessments.