New city attorney, interim city manager named by Sarasota commission

Charter officials come and go from time to time, but the business of the city must go on. Sarasota City commissioners on Monday unanimously approved two key positions at the highest levels of city government.

On City Attorney Marlon Brown’s last official day in office and at the dais, commissioners selected Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat as interim city manager while the city initiates a national search for Brown’s permanent replacement. 

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners also selected Joseph Polzak to replace City Attorney Robert Fournier when he retires next spring. Both Fournier and Deputy City Attorney Michael Connolly announced earlier this year their intention to retire at the same time. 

Once Fournier and Connolly retire, Polzak will be one of three remaining partners in the firm of Fournier, Connolly, Shamsey, Mladinich & Polzak. While Polzak will hold the title of city attorney, John Shamsey and Joseph Mladinich will serve as co-deputies. Commissioners agreed to discuss at a later date whether to bring the office of the city attorney in house or continue to outsource as it currently does.

All three remaining partners of the firm have said they are amenable to either option.

Fournier intended to begin his retirement after Feb. 28, but that may be extended should the replacements need more time to “get their ducks in a row since there hasn’t been much time,” said Fournier. “In that case, it would be the end of May rather than the end of February.”

Fournier has served as city attorney since 2004.

While Jeffcoat is working his temp job as interim city manager, his public works duties will be shared by General Manger of Public Services Todd Kucharski and City Engineer Nik Patel. 

“Mr. Jeffcoat does acknowledge that the position is an interim position as we search for our permanent city manager,” said Human Resources Director Stacie Mason. “He does request the right to resume his directorship after the completion of the interim service.”

Jeffcoat has been a city employee for nearly 30 years.