At 37:24 in the meeting, Resolution 2025-56; A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PAHOKEE, FLORIDA APPROVING THE OBSERVED HOLIDAYS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 was introduced. Scott started the discussion by saying that the staff has too many days off. He said staff does not need 15 days off. Manager Jackson rebutted that he went back 3-4 years in looking at the city’s past holiday calendar and said what he submitted was consistent with what the Commissions have previously approved. Mr. Jackson did add the Friday following Christmas and New Years since those holidays fall on Thursdays this year. The Commission decided to remove Columbus Day, Presidents Day, the Monday after July 4, and the Fridays after Christmas and New Years. Now, if city staff were planning to travel for the holidays, they would have to cancel or cut short their time with family and loved ones.

It is noticeably clear that Manager Jackson in his 17 months of service has fought strongly for city staff and stuck up for them when members of the commission have maligned them. City staff are losing their biggest champion. It is evident by words, actions, and votes that this new commission majority does not respect, value, or represent the city’s hardworking staff. They simply seek to stifle the city’s administration via the municipal manager and city staff. Over questioning the city’s CEO and staff at every opportunity and on every matter. The City Commission would do right to trust staff’s expertise and years of experience to do their due diligence in properly running the day-to-day.

At 1:36:35 in the meeting, Scott made a motion to not live stream the city manager interviews. The Attorney rightfully advised that during this section of the meeting, motions/votes could not be done but the commission could do Scott’s request by consensus. Scott said his rationale was that it is not fair to all the interviewees. I ask why this interview process for interim manager position is different than the last one where Mr. Jackson was chosen? Why is Scott so hard pressed to stop complete and public transparency from happening under this new commission majority? Is it that one to four commissioners already have an interim manager pick in mind before all the applications/resumes are received? Could it be that one applicant who submitted their information for manager prior to the formal selection process being created? Could it be several commissioners already have a pre-chosen manager candidate waiting in the wings?

Mayor Babb correctly stated that the Commission has always used a public and transparent interview process. He was the only elected official to share this perspective. Cowan and McPherson preferred to tape the interviews and release them later. McDonald said the delaying of live streaming or recording the interviews and releasing them later is a moot point if the perspective candidates don’t wait outside during one another’s interviews but decide to sit in on them as a public meeting. Let’s not forget the last time there were interviews and selection of an interim manager (where Mr. Jackson was chosen), there was a live stream of the meeting and interviews. There were no issues during that process. McPherson and others like to claim they are about transparency but let’s be clear, removing the live stream of the interim manager interviews/selection meeting is anything but transparent. Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/live/RWI0BWKp1TA

My imperative question for the Commissioners and public: Do you honestly believe Pahokee can and will attract a very qualified and experienced municipal manager based on the city’s track record with this critical position?

Sincerely,