Port St. Lucie picks present interim its subsequent metropolis legal professional after interviewing two others

PORT ST. LUCIE — After an eight-month search process, the Metropolis Council unanimously decided Wednesday to take away the interim tag from Metropolis Lawyer Richard Berrios, selecting him from a gaggle of three finalists.

He can be the town’s fifth metropolis legal professional within the final decade.

There beforehand had been five finalists chosen from an preliminary record of 10 candidates, however two withdrew their names earlier than the interview course of.

Interviews left councilmembers with no additional questions

That course of started Monday with one-on-one interviews with councilmembers and continued Wednesday with a public meet and greet. Although there was a chance for inquiries to candidates within the public assembly that adopted, councilmembers and Mayor Shannon Martin stated there was no want. Their minds had been made.

“I do know I’ve gotten every thing I wanted from the candidates by means of the one-on-ones. Except there are any public interview questions, I might like to maneuver proper to the choice making by the Council,” Martin stated.

Councilmembers every thanked the candidates and Tallahassee-based S. Renée Narloch and Associates — who led the search — earlier than explaining their assist for Berrios.

“I had three wonderful interviews. I believe that the tiebreaker right here is that we have had the chance to work with Mr. Berrios for the previous variety of months, and we all know his product, and it is a good product,” Councilman Anthony Bonna stated.

Berrios exceeded expectations for a minimum of one on Metropolis Council

Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo stated she was beforehand “very hesitant” to present Berrios the interim function as a result of she was involved it’d harm him as a candidate for the complete place, with a brief period of time to handle among the authorized division’s previous points.

“I needed him to have a good shot, and there have been loads of challenges that the workplace has confronted over time, and with totally different attorneys, and so I actually needed to present him the chance to be on the identical taking part in area,” Caraballo stated.

That stated, Berrios has been capable of deliver constructive change, Caraballo stated.

“I am glad that I used to be mistaken on that, and I can admit once I’m mistaken, and I am glad that the Council overrode me on that call as a result of it supplied him an avenue to rise to the event, and that’s precisely what he has performed,” Caraballo stated. “He has risen to the event and has exceeded my expectations.”

The place Berrios, different candidates, got here from

Berrios has labored with the town since March of final 12 months, when he started as deputy metropolis legal professional. He was made interim metropolis legal professional in October. Previous to his time in Port St. Lucie, he held a variety of authorized roles for the town of Lengthy Seaside, NY. Earlier than that he was an affiliate legal professional at nationwide protection agency McGivney & Kluger.

Extra: Port St. Lucie council picks interim city attorney, search firm to fill troubled position

Extra: Port St. Lucie narrows city attorney field to five, with public meet-and-greet next week.

The opposite two finalists current Wednesday had been Kelley Armitage, managing legal professional at Safety First Insurance coverage Firm and Rodney Edwards, deputy metropolis legal professional of Palm Bay. Two different candidates, Tampa Assistant Metropolis Lawyer Carl Brody and North Miami Metropolis Lawyer Jeff Cazeau, withdrew after the council voted on a shortlist however previous to interviews.

Martin stated she expects Berrios’ new contract to be finalized by the subsequent council assembly, which is scheduled for Monday.

Wicker Perlis is TCPalm’s Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You’ll be able to attain him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com.

This text initially appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Richard Berrios picked to become latest Port St. Lucie city attorney