If the appointment is approved by the Fernandina Beach City Commission next week, City Engineer Charles George will serve as the interim city manager after the contract with current interim City Manager Mark Foxworth expires.
When the commission voted 3-2 to remove Dale Martin from the position, former police chief Mark Foxworth agreed to serve as city manager temporarily. His 90-day contract as interim city manager expires May 24. He has said he does not plan to renew that contract.
The city commission appointed a committee of people to find a new city manager, in addition to issuing a Request for Proposals for an executive search firm. The concept is that the committee would find candidates and the search firm could screen and vet them and set up interviews.
However, the estimates on that process are measured in months, beyond the time Foxworth has agreed to serve in the city manager position. Before Martin was fired, George had been serving as deputy city manager. He said he was not approached to take over when Martin left the position.
A workshop scheduled to discuss the search committee ahead of the April 4 regular city commission meeting was canceled.
George told the News-Leader Mayor Bradley Bean had the city clerk approach him about the matter.
“I agreed provided the City Commission approves at their April 4th regular meeting,” George said. “I look forward to the interim city manager opportunity and keeping city operations and projects moving in a positive direction.”
jroberts@fbnewsleader.com
