City staff told the commission the search committee recommended three finalists for the city attorney position: an internal candidate, Paul Bengel; and external candidates Sherry McCartney and Angel Rosenberg. Jerome Post, director of human resources, summarized the process and explained the commission would later vote on a resolution if it wished to select a candidate for contract negotiations.

Three members of the public signed up to speak at the conference session. Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn of Lauderhill (speaking as a private citizen) and two other speakers — Earl Hall, a former Lauderhill city attorney, and Fort Lauderdale resident Mark Dickerman — each addressed the commission and endorsed candidates. Dunn and Hall spoke in support of Angel Rosenberg, describing her prior work with Lauderhill and her responsiveness; Dickerman spoke in favor of Sherry McCartney.

Commissioners discussed process questions, including whether to proceed without the vice mayor in attendance. City staff said the conference meeting is the forum for discussion and the evening meeting is the formal time to select a candidate; if the commission chooses to move forward tonight staff will present a motion for the commission to authorize a representative to negotiate employment terms and then present a resolution at the evening meeting if negotiations succeed. One commissioner said they planned to support Sherry McCartney, while others deferred until the evening session. No selection or motion was made at the conference meeting.

City staff said the commission would have the opportunity to vote in the evening meeting on any nominee the majority wishes to move forward.