Interim City Manager and City Attorney appointed | City of Sarasota

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

Sarasota, FL: The City Commission unanimously appointed an Interim City Manager and new City Attorney during its regular meeting Monday.

Longtime City of Sarasota executive staff member Doug Jeffcoat was appointed Interim City Manager following the retirement of City Manager Marlon Brown.

Jeffcoat has been employed with the City for 29 years, the last 14 as Public Works Director overseeing streets and highways, capital improvement projects, engineering, transportation planning, fleet services and solid waste.

Jeffcoat will assume his new role as Interim City Manager Tuesday, Oct. 22.

In May, Jeffcoat was honored by the American Public Works Association-Florida Chapter with its prestigious Manager of the Year award for exhibiting inspiring leadership, steadfast dedication to the public good and exceptional administrative skills.

While Jeffcoat serves as Interim City Manager, City Engineer Nikesh Patel and Public Works General Todd Kucharski will share duties overseeing the Public Works Department.

“It’s an honor to temporarily lead the City during this transition,” said Interim City Manager Doug Jeffcoat. “We have a very strong, capable staff and during this time we’ll continue to work for the betterment of the Sarasota community.”

A national search for a new City Manager is expected to begin soon and take four to six months.

The City Commission also unanimously appointed Assistant City Attorney Joe Polzak to serve as the next City Attorney when Robert Fournier retires March 1, 2025.

Polzak has been an Assistant City Attorney for 10 years advising the Sarasota Police Department on governance, risk and compliance and serving as the SPD’s sole embedded legal counsel. He co-developed the SPD’s homelessness response program which was honored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police with the Leadership in Human and Civil Rights Award. Prior to his work with the City, Polzak served as an Assistant State Attorney for seven years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in political science, magna cum laude, from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law with an Honors Certificate in International Law.

“I greatly appreciate the Commission’s unanimous support and belief in me and the City Attorney’s office,” said incoming City Attorney Joe Polzak. “We look forward to continuing to serve the community, staff and City Commission.”

Assistant City Attorneys Joe Mladinich and John Shamsey will jointly fill the role of Deputy City Attorney, with the retirement of Mike Connolly March 1, 2025.

“It’s extraordinary for two such significant appointments to be made by the City Commission on the same day,” noted Mayor Liz Alpert. “The Commission has been aware of the pending retirements of City Manager Marlon Brown and City Attorney Bob Fournier and we had time to discuss options and chart the best path forward for our community. Marlon was a tremendous leader and his retirement will leave a void, but the City is in capable hands. Having Doug Jeffcoat serve as the Interim City Manager will provide the City and staff with the stability, institutional knowledge and professional leadership that will be needed during this transitional time. Bob Fournier’s legal acumen and history with the City will be missed. Promoting Joe Polzak from Assistant City Attorney to City Attorney, though, will provide additional stability and a wealth of knowledge about the varied legal issues the City is handling. Both Doug and Joe are outstanding individuals. We’re very comfortable with their leadership, professionalism and commitment to always do the best for the City of Sarasota.”

As required in the City Charter, the City Commission appoints three Charter Officials with a supermajority vote: City Manager, City Attorney and City Auditor & Clerk.