PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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DISCUSSION OF RECRUITMENT FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY POSITION
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
Martin County’s County Attorney, Sarah Woods, will be retiring in July 2025. Staff seeks direction from the Board of County Commissioners on the recruitment process to fill this upcoming vacancy.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: Heather Dayan
Title: Director of HR/Risk Management
REQUESTED BY: Don Donaldson, County Administrator
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
At the May 20, 2025, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board approved the appointment of Elysse Elder as Acting County Attorney, effective upon the departure of County Attorney Sarah Woods in July 2025. The Board also approved a 10% salary increase for Ms. Elder during her time in the acting role. Additionally, the Board authorized the County Administrator to conduct an in-house recruitment for the County Attorney position in coordination with the Human Resources Department. During the same meeting, it was discussed that staff would bring back a recommendation for citizens to serve on the selection committee. The appointment of the remaining citizen members to serve on the selection committee remains pending.
The Martin County Human Resources Department officially posted the County Attorney position on May 30, 2024. The vacancy announcement is being widely distributed across multiple platforms, including sites tailored to the legal profession and county government to ensure broad and targeted outreach. The application window will remain open through July 1, 2025, allowing interested candidates adequate time to submit their qualifications and professional history for consideration.
To move forward with the recruitment process, the Board must appoint the remaining citizen members to the selection committee. This committee will be responsible for reviewing applications, screening candidates, and conducting interviews. Its primary role is to present the Board of County Commissioners with a shortlist of qualified finalists for consideration. The goal is to provide this shortlist to the Board in August, at which point the Board’s formal vetting and selection process will commence.
Staff has compiled a list of potential selection committee members consisting of local attorneys for the Board’s consideration. The list includes Robert Kramer, Marc Gaylord, Bob Burson, Shaun Plymale, and Denise Marie Nieman, former County Attorney for the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. All individuals have been contacted regarding their interest in serving.
ISSUES:
The Board must determine the citizens to serve on the selection committee.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners select two members from the following list of local attorneys to complete the County Attorney Selection Committee:
• Robert Kramer
• Marc Gaylord
• Bob Burson
• Shaun Plymale
• Denise Marie Nieman
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide direction to the County Administrator regarding an alternative recruitment process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.