FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Fort Pierce's city commission held a heated special meeting Monday after nearly the city's entire legal team resigned. This is leaving the city with no attorneys and forcing officials to spend $31,000 in taxpayer money to find a permanent replacement.
The mass departure followed the city's decision not to renew the current city attorney's contract, which expires Sept. 11. City staff confirmed that aside from one paralegal, the entire legal department has left.
"The entire staff left. There's no city attorneys right now, none," City Commissioner Michael Broderick told WPTV.
In the meeting, Broderick called the situation a "self-inflicted wound" and said he isn't aware of any complaints, disciplinary action or poor performance reviews that would lead to her leaving.
"And I've asked the question over and over and over: 'Why was she terminated? Why was she terminated by a majority vote of the commission?' I've yet to get an answer on that other than to say, 'Well, her contract was over,'" Broderick told WPTV investigative reporter Kate Hussey.
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky suggested the resignations were not spontaneous.
"I think this was orchestrated in which the members of the city attorney's office chose not to renew contracts, to resign," Dzadovsky said.
Dzadovsky did not say who he believed orchestrated the mass resignation; however, Broderick said the departures included at least three city attorneys.
Broderick expressed his concern that the lack of legal representation could make it easier for developers to push projects through — particularly on South Hutchinson Island, where a 900-unit residential project is already pending at Causeway Cove.
"Allowing the developers to build as high as they want to build out there," Broderick said.
Dzadovsky disagreed, arguing the absence of legal staff would actually slow development down.
"It's going to slow things down," Dzadovsky said. "It's going to take longer to have a city attorney legal review."
The commission's decision to spend $31,000 on an outside search firm drew sharp criticism from both Broderick and a taxpayer who spoke during public comment.
"This is a substantial cost now being presented after the city had advanced notice the city would become vacant and nevertheless failed to orderly execute a succession process," taxpayer Kevin Keene said.
"I share the taxpayer's concern. I think this is a complete waste of taxpayer money," Broderick said.
City Human Resources Manager Jared Sorenson defended the decision, saying an outside firm was needed to keep the process impartial.
"The independence is really what we were looking for," Sorenson said.
"More assets are available. More time can be spent doing it," Dzadovsky added.
The commission ultimately approved the $31,000 contract. It also appointed Deputy City Manager Camille Wallace as interim city attorney while the permanent search is conducted.
WPTV has asked the city why the city attorney's contract was not reviewed. We are still waiting on an answer.
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