PORT ST. LUCIE — After an eight-month search process, the City Council unanimously decided Wednesday to remove the interim tag from City Attorney Richard Berrios, picking him from a group of three finalists.
He would be the city’s fifth city attorney in the last decade.
There previously were five finalists chosen from an initial list of 10 candidates, but two withdrew their names before the interview process.
Interviews left councilmembers with no further questions
That process began Monday with one-on-one interviews with councilmembers and continued Wednesday with a public meet and greet. Though there was an opportunity for questions to candidates in the public meeting that followed, councilmembers and Mayor Shannon Martin said there was no need. Their minds had been made.
“I know I’ve gotten everything I needed from the candidates through the one-on-ones. Unless there are any public interview questions, I’d like to move right to the decision making by the Council,” Martin said.
Councilmembers each thanked the candidates and Tallahassee-based S. Renée Narloch and Associates — who led the search — before explaining their support for Berrios.
“I had three excellent interviews. I think that the tiebreaker here is that we’ve had the opportunity to work with Mr. Berrios for the past number of months, and we know his product, and it’s a good product,” Councilman Anthony Bonna said.
Berrios exceeded expectations for at least one on City Council
Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo said she was previously “very hesitant” to give Berrios the interim role because she was concerned it might hurt him as a candidate for the full position, with a short amount of time to address some of the legal department’s past issues.
“I wanted him to have a fair shot, and there were a lot of challenges that the office has faced over the years, and with different attorneys, and so I really wanted to give him the opportunity to be on the same playing field,” Caraballo said.
That said, Berrios has been able to bring positive change, Caraballo said.
“I’m glad that I was wrong on that, and I can admit when I’m wrong, and I’m glad that the Council overrode me on that decision because it provided him an avenue to rise to the occasion, and that is exactly what he has done,” Caraballo said. “He has risen to the occasion and has exceeded my expectations.”
Where Berrios, other candidates, came from
Berrios has worked with the city since March of last year, when he began as deputy city attorney. He was made interim city attorney in October. Prior to his time in Port St. Lucie, he held a number of legal roles for the city of Long Beach, NY. Before that he was an associate attorney at national defense firm McGivney & Kluger.
More: Port St. Lucie council picks interim city attorney, search firm to fill troubled position
More: Port St. Lucie narrows city attorney field to five, with public meet-and-greet next week.
The other two finalists present Wednesday were Kelley Armitage, managing attorney at Security First Insurance Company and Rodney Edwards, deputy city attorney of Palm Bay. Two other candidates, Tampa Assistant City Attorney Carl Brody and North Miami City Attorney Jeff Cazeau, withdrew after the council voted on a shortlist but prior to interviews.
Martin said she expects Berrios’ new contract to be finalized by the next council meeting, which is scheduled for Monday.
Wicker Perlis is TCPalm’s Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at wicker.perlis@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Richard Berrios picked to become latest Port St. Lucie city attorney
