Palatka commission votes to hire Cynthia Curry as interim city manager

The Palatka City Commission voted May 21 to offer Cynthia Curry the interim city manager position, directing human resources to negotiate a 1099 contract up to the current city manager's salary and to run standard background checks.

Cynthia Curry, who described herself during the interview as an experienced municipal manager and troubleshooter, told commissioners she would "walk in and own it immediately," stressing transparency, immediate meetings with department heads and a focus on financial reporting and grant deadlines. Curry told the commission she would prioritize completing the city's annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) work, aligning ARPA and other grant timelines and stabilizing operations in the first 30 days.

Commissioners reported reviewing all three finalists and ranking Curry highest. During deliberations the commission discussed start date, contractor status, a temporary residency waiver for the interim role and the mechanics of negotiating pay. The motion to extend an offer authorized HR to negotiate up to the published city manager salary; the motion was moved and seconded and then carried by the commission.

The commission asked that the contract include the usual contingencies: satisfactory background check and final review by the city attorney. City staff said they aim for the interim to begin as soon as negotiations and pre‑employment checks are complete.

The appointment follows a morning discussion in which some commissioners had sought to reopen an earlier restriction barring an interim from applying for the permanent manager role; that procedural motion failed earlier in the meeting. The commission also discussed audit work needed to finalize the ACFR and asked finance staff to confirm whether additional auditor services are required to meet the June 30 deadline.

The commission adjourned after confirming the direction to HR and staff and asking for the contract draft and background-check timeline to be returned to the full commission before public announcement.