Islamorada council members supported a plan to hire a Fort Lauderdale resident with municipal management experience as interim manager.
The council’s 4-0 vote during a special Jan. 30 meeting directed village attorney John Quick to negotiate an employment contract with Alan Cohen for the short-term position. A managing partner for a South Florida consulting firm, Cohen previously worked as assistant administrator in Broward County and manager for the cities of Sunny Isles and Sunrise.
Cohen, who was at the meeting, told council members he has a passion for public service and would shift his focus to Islamorada full-time. Cohen was one of several potential candidates who can perform interim manager duties in situations where governments transition from one manager to another.
“The time spent here would be focused on getting the job done and working on behalf of the community,” he said. “When I take a job I immerse myself in it. I come up to speed as quickly as I can.
“I enjoy challenges, whether they be navigating the politics of boards, neighborhoods or anything in between,” he continued.
Cohen said he would be available to begin working as soon as this week. Council members will consider approval of a contact with Cohen during a Feb. 11 meeting.
A move to proceed with Cohen comes after then-manager Rob Cole’s resignation from the village during a Jan. 7 meeting. Chief Building Official Sheila Denoncourt took the village manager position following Cole’s departure on an acting basis, as it gave council time to figure out short- and long-term solutions.
Before the vote, Vice Mayor Don Horton acknowledged the continuity in village hall with Denoncourt at the helm. He said the village would essentially be hiring an interim manager to replace a temporary manager.
“I think the cost is going to be more, we’ll have travel, housing and per diems and all of that stuff,” he said.
Horton ultimately voted “yes” to proceed with contract negotiations for Cohen as interim manager.
Mayor Sharon Mahoney acknowledged the selection of a permanent manager could take several months. She shared concerns about keeping Denoncourt in as acting manager.
“I think Sheila is more than capable, but I also think she is so valuable at her job. With all these things coming up — the new village we’re going to build with a new comprehensive plan — my concern is taking her away from something that may be more important that she can do.”
Councilwoman Deb Gillis, who agreed with Mahoney, said Denoncort lost her assistant in the building department and that it is “going to complicate her life.”
Cohen told council members his desired compensation package wouldn’t exceed the previous manager’s $200,000 salary, $4,000 housing allowance and benefits.
Before the interim manager discussion, Jaime Terry, the human resources director, told council members a request for proposals went out to head-hunting firms interested in helping the village field candidates for permanent village manager. The village also began its own search by posting the job to its website, government job sites, LinkedIn and Indeed.
“People are expressing interest in the permanent position,” Terry said.
