Commission votes to add May 18 discussion on city attorney contract renewal

The Fort Pierce City Commission voted on Monday to place the city attorney's contract renewal on the May 18 agenda for formal discussion and possible action.

Commissioner Zadofsky said she discovered a 90-day notice provision in the city attorney's contract and asked for a public, commissioner-led discussion before the renewal deadline. "There's a provision in a contract that says there's 90 days prior to the end of the contract to either renew or just be silent," she said, urging a timely conversation.

Commissioner Broderick said he was aware of a petition among some commissioners to dismiss the city attorney but said he did not support an immediate termination. "I understand that there's a move afoot that Sarah Hedges needs to be dismissed as city attorney. I don't support that move," he stated, and said he would make his position clear if the commission takes up the renewal.

The commission voted by roll call to add the item to the May 18 agenda. The roll call recorded four yes votes and one no (Mayor Hudson voted no). The options available at that meeting will be: formally not to renew the contract (allowing it to expire on its scheduled end date), to renew the contract, or to take no action and allow the automatic renewal provision to operate.

What happens next: The item will appear on the May 18 agenda so commissioners can state their positions and, if they choose, take formal action before any notice deadline in the contract.