It wasn’t easy, but Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy has made his decision.
After two days of interviews and help from four panelists, Murphy whittled out a candidate. Becky Vose, of Vose Law Firm in Winter Park, is the mayor’s top choice for city attorney.
Murphy will bring his recommendation before commissioners, who have final approval on the hire.
The city began searching for a city attorney following Jim Dye’s dismissal Jan. 8. The application deadline for the attorneys was Feb. 17.
“The city’s getting anxious about hiring a new attorney,” said Murphy, “and so am I. We’ve got a lot of work that’s been on hold for too long and it needs to be done.”
Murphy and the panel — retired attorney and current planning and zoning chair Jon Crane, city clerk Diane Percycoe, former Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford and Commissioner Nancy Yetter — interviewed candidates for more than six hours.
They asked questions about fees and travel costs, the candidate’s ability to attend meetings in Anna Maria, experiences in Florida and with the Florida Bar.
The interviewers also were eager to find out how the attorneys could help the city with vacation rentals, a declaratory judgment and staving off a number of property rights’ claims.
“We need a bulldog,” said Yetter. “We’ve lacked guidance for too long. Now developers and lawyers can say the ‘S’ word and we crumble.”
The candidates — six attorneys — brought different levels of experiences.
Robert Robinson of Kirk-Pinkerton, PA, is a self-proclaimed bulldog who worked as North Port’s city attorney.
Ralf Brookes served in the past as city attorney for Bradenton Beach.
Regina Kardash of Trask, Metz & Daigneault, specializes in working with city governments. Other members of the firm also came to the interview for support.
Kelly Fernandez of Persson & Cohen, PA, is assistant city attorney for Venice and the town of Longboat Key. David Persson, a partner in the firm, interviewed with her. He’s the city attorney for Venice and former city attorney for Longboat Key.
J. Frazer Carraway and Gerald Buhr, of Saxon, Gilmore, Carraway and Gibbons, PA, have extensive experience dealing with rentals and declarative actions. Buhr has served Avon Park, Zolfo Springs, Bowling Green and San Antonio.
Becky and Wade Vose are a mother-and-son team from Winter Park. Neither attorney is certified in government law, but Becky Vose has been practicing for 41 years and has held more than 18 city positions, including service as city attorney for Winter Garden, Edgewood, Windermere, Oakland, Eagle Lake, Deltona, Longwood and St. Cloud.
Vose was the No. 1 choice among three of the four panelists. Crane disagreed.
“Vose is my No. 2,” said Crane. “Kelly Fernandez seems good and is my No. 1 choice, if her partner, David Persson, would be there to weigh in for council.”
Murphy said he’s going to contact Vose and tell her of his decision but he also hopes to negotiate fees.
“If they’re not willing to negotiate,” he said, “I’m going to choose Kelly Fernandez.”
Vose offered to work for either a lump sum monthly retainer of $7,500 or a $150 hourly rate.
Travel wouldn’t be charged in either case.
Murphy also said he wants to give them a six-month trial period.
The panel also questioned whether Vose would be able to support the city from Winter Park — more than 130 miles from Anna Maria.
Percycoe said she reached out to the other cities the Voses represent and, while she wasn’t able to talk to everyone, she heard great reports thus far.
Yetter said she felt confident Vose would bring a level of experience and determination and work well with the commissioners.
Murphy expects to go before the commission as soon as possible for approval of his choice.
The commission is expected to hold a special meeting at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive, to finalize the choice for the charter position of city attorney.