Mayor's nominee Catherine Silas approved as EDC executive director; council authorizes contract negotiation

The Florida City Council on Dec. 11, 2025 accepted the mayors nomination of Catherine Silas as executive director of the citys Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The mayor said Silas emerged from a multi-stage process that winnowed 21 applicants to a unanimous selection.

Councilmembers amended the mayors motion to specifically authorize HEDC board member Scott Grama and the city attorney to negotiate and execute an employment contract with Silas within parameters discussed during the councils closed session. The amended motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Council did not read the contract terms into the public record; the mayor and a councilmember spoke in support of Silass experience and the hiring process. The transcript contains two spellings of the nominees surname ("Silas" and "Silvis"); the transcript also records that the motion and the authorization to negotiate the contract were approved during the open session following the closed session.