Council agrees to aggressive timeline to recruit new city attorney; RFP to post July 24

Brooksville’s City Council set an expedited recruitment schedule July 6 to replace the city attorney, who submitted a resignation effective Sept. 1.

Human resources director Kyle Martin presented a proposed RFP timeline that includes posting the solicitation July 24, a proposal deadline of Aug. 12 (council agreed to move the original Aug. 13 date forward one day), a council review period Aug. 13–19, a shortlisting meeting Aug. 20, and open interviews on Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. Council members discussed whether the normal 21-day posting period should be shortened under the procurement statute’s exemptions for legal services and agreed to the tighter schedule to meet the Sept. 1 transition.

City attorney Becky (on the phone) said in her experience little or no overlap is typically needed and that a day or short orientation is sufficient for continuity. The city manager noted the council will serve as the evaluation committee and directed staff to proceed with the proposed recruitment steps and meeting schedule.

Next steps: staff will post the RFP on procurement platforms, accept proposals under the revised schedule and present shortlisted candidates for interviews on Aug. 24; council asked staff to prepare transition and continuity options if needed to cover the Sept. 1 date.