Miami Beach conducted national search for city manager. An internal candidate got the job

Longtime Miami Beach administrator Eric Carpenter was selected Wednesday as the city’s next manager, beating out three other finalists for the city’s CEO position after a nationwide search.

The City Commission voted 5-2 to select Carpenter, the city’s current deputy manager who has been with the city for more than a decade, after a public interview process with the finalists.

“Now we get to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work,” Carpenter told the commission after his selection. “I’m looking forward to working with all of you to help bring your vision of Miami Beach to fruition.”

Mayor Steven Meiner and Commissioners Alex Fernandez, Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Joseph Magazine and David Suarez supported Carpenter’s appointment.

Commissioners Tanya Katzoff Bhatt and Laura Dominguez supported another candidate, Anthony Alicastro, a Miami Beach resident who is a senior management adviser and consultant.

Carpenter had previously come up short for the manager role in 2021, when Alina Hudak was hired .

After Hudak tendered her resignation in March , Meiner and others called for Carpenter to be immediately installed as her permanent successor. But he was overruled by commissioners who preferred to pursue a national search and install Rickelle Williams, an assistant city manager, as the interim city manager.

An outside firm hired by the city oversaw the search process, receiving 124 resumes and narrowing the field down to eight semifinalists. At a special meeting earlier this month, the commission cut it down to four — despite some officials griping about the strength of the candidates.

The four finalists were Carpenter, Alicastro, president of finance for the League of California Cities Tarik Rahmani and former San Joaquin County administrator Jerome “Jay” Wilverding.

Following Wednesday’s vote, Meiner and Fernandez squabbled over whether Carpenter should begin in the manager role immediately or only after his contract terms are negotiated and approved by the commission.

Ultimately, the commission agreed to appoint Carpenter immediately and hold a special meeting, possibly next week, to finalize the contract terms.

Hudak was receiving a base salary of $320,000, plus a vehicle allowance of nearly $10,000 and other benefits.

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