The City of Tallahassee hosted a public meet-and-greet with its three city manager candidate finalists that was open to all members of the public Tuesday.
But very few people who aren’t already connected to Tallahassee’s local government and political scenes actually attended. It started at 4 p.m. at Parkview at Cascades, one day before the final decision could be made.
Most of those in attendance were the same folks who often are seen at Tallahassee City Commission meetings: City staff, political candidates and their staffers, and community activists who regularly speak out at those meetings.
But the new faces there were the scene stealers–the finalists like Scott Andrews, former County Manager of Dona Ana, New Mexico. He told press at the meet and greet that he will work to bring the city together if he’s chosen.
“I think my background, a lot of it is consensus building. So, I would hope to stabilize the team, stabilize some of the turmoil that we’ve seen recently,” he said.
Tristan Wood
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WFSU Public Media
Scott Andrews, one of the three finalists for Tallahassee City Manager, mingles during a public meet-and-greet with the finalists at Parkview at Cascades.
Valerie Washington, Assistant City Manager of Fort Worth, Texas, is another finalist.
“If I become city manager, one of the things I will address is working with the commissioner and staff on just governance at commission meetings. I would also like to continue working on affordable housing in this community and land use issues,” she said during a press gaggle at the meet-and-greet.
Tristan Wood
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WFSU Public Media
Valerie Washington, one of the three finalists for Tallahassee City Manager, talks during the finalist meet-and-greet event on Sept. 1, 2026.
Karen Jumonville, deputy city manager of Tallahassee, is the internal candidate of the three finalists.
“Our mission is to be the national leader in the delivery of public service. That’s what we are now, and that’s what we’ll continue to be. I would focus on fiscal stewardship as well, and then also fostering that one team mentality and culture that we have at the city, where we’re not siloed. We work across departmental boundaries to achieve great outcomes for our citizens,” she said.
Tristan Wood
/
WFSU Public Media
Karen Jumonville, one of the three finalists for Tallahassee City Manager, talks during the finalist meet-and-greet event on Sept. 1, 2026.
Before the meet and greet, the candidates had one-on-one interviews with City Commissioners. On Wednesday, they will give presentations at the city commission chambers.
At least two commissioners say they are ready to make their decision.
At the meet-and-greet, Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox said she’s ready to move forward with a finalist—before current City Manager Reese Goad leaves his post.
“Life moves on, Reese is set to leave on September 30, and I think that is the sooner we make the decision, the sooner we can begin the transition to keeping our city moving forward together,” he said.
Commissioner Curtis Richardson also said at the event he’s ready to make a decision.
“My understanding is the goal is for us to make a final decision tomorrow, based on the individual interviews that we’re doing today and the presentations that are made tomorrow,” he said.
Commissioner Jack Porter also attended the meet-and-greet. She thinks now is not the time to hire a new manager. She has previously pointed out the outcome of November’s election will bring new commissioners onto the board.
“I think this whole thing has been really rushed, and I would prefer more time to deliberate. But given that the majority is kind of rushing this through, as far as I’m concerned, I’m not surprised that they feel that way,” she said.
The finalists are set to make presentations starting at 9 am Wednesday.