The Sept. 9 vote applies not only to cameras supplied by Flock Safety, but also to other automated license plate recognition, or ALPR, technology used by the Tallahassee Police Department. TPD has been operating two ALPR systems — 80 Flock cameras and 75 Vigilant cameras — for a total of 155 cameras, according to information previously provided to commissioners.

The distinction is significant: Flock Safety is a company, while ALPR refers to the broader technology that photographs license plates and vehicle characteristics and makes the information searchable by law enforcement.

The unanimous decision represents a significant change from the commission’s Aug. 26 meeting. At that meeting, Commissioner Jeremy Matlow moved to begin removing the Flock cameras, with Commissioner Jack Porter supporting the effort. The proposal failed on a 3-2 vote, with Mayor John Dailey and commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson supporting continued use of the technology.

Since then, the political and regulatory landscape surrounding license plate readers has changed rapidly.

The Florida Department of Transportation recently moved to revoke permits for ALPR cameras located on state highway rights-of-way and said it would no longer issue new permits. The state cited the rapid expansion of the systems along with concerns about misuse, data privacy and surveillance. Gov. Ron DeSantis has also said use of the technology had “gotten out of control.”

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil separately suspended the Leon County Sheriff’s Office’s use of ALPR technology while seeking stronger oversight and accreditation standards.

Williams-Cox said Wednesday that the city should follow the Sheriff’s Office and provide consistency in how the technology is handled locally.

The vote came despite TPD’s defense of the technology. Police officials have maintained that ALPR systems are valuable investigative tools that can help identify stolen vehicles, locate suspects and assist investigators in serious crimes. TPD had also outlined safeguards governing access to the system and recently joined LCSO in launching public transparency portals related to the technology.

But concerns over privacy, data sharing and potential misuse have fueled growing opposition locally and nationally. More than a dozen speakers addressed commissioners Wednesday and urged the city to discontinue the technology.

Matlow argued that public pressure was responsible for changing the outcome.

“This decision is only changing because of you,” Matlow told speakers, according to reporting on the meeting.

Matlow sought to go further, proposing that the cameras be physically covered within 24 hours and removed within 30 days. That proposal failed 3-2.

Instead, City Manager Reese Goad said the cameras would be turned off, preventing the city or others from accessing them through the system. The approach mirrors the Sheriff’s Office’s suspension of its cameras.

The action therefore amounts to a suspension rather than permanent removal. The cameras may remain physically in place for now, leaving open the possibility that commissioners could revisit the issue if new state rules, accreditation standards or other safeguards are developed.

For Tallahassee, the Sept. 9 vote marks a rapid reversal in a debate that has shifted from whether the city should use Flock cameras to the broader question of whether government should operate interconnected license plate-reading systems at all.

The proposed contract would run from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2031, and includes 20 weeks of severance pay, a $1,000 monthly automobile allowance and a city contribution to a 457 retirement account.

Perhaps the most consequential provision deals with termination.

Under the proposed agreement, Jumonville could only be removed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the City Commission. With five commissioners, that would effectively require four votes to terminate the city manager rather than the three votes needed for most commission actions.

According to the city, the provision mirrors the employment terms of Tallahassee’s Inspector General. The remainder of the agreement is based on contracts used for the city’s appointed officials.

The contract comes one week after a divided City Commission selected Jumonville as the successor to longtime City Manager Reese Goad.

On Sept. 2, commissioners voted 3-2 to select Jumonville following public interviews with three finalists identified through a nationwide search. The commission then directed the mayor to negotiate an employment agreement for consideration at its Sept. 9 meeting.

Jumonville currently serves as Tallahassee’s deputy city manager and previously served as assistant city manager and Growth Management director.

The selection followed a search that began after Goad announced on April 28 that he would retire effective Sept. 30 or upon selection of his successor. Goad has served as city manager since September 2018 after being named interim manager in November 2017.

One distinction highlighted in the city agenda is that Flock Safety is a company, while automated license plate recognition, or ALPR, is the technology. TPD currently uses two ALPR platforms — Flock Safety and Vigilant — with 80 Flock cameras and 75 Vigilant cameras. The fixed cameras capture license plates and associated vehicle information that investigators can search for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

The systems are also different from TPD’s public-safety video cameras. Those cameras provide video footage associated with calls for service and investigations, while ALPR cameras automatically identify and create searchable records of license plates passing the cameras.

TPD Points to Major Cases

TPD says ALPR technology has played a role in several significant investigations.

According to the agenda, investigators used ALPR information during a 2025 investigation into approximately 14 bank robberies involving suspects traveling from Texas along the Interstate 10 corridor and frequently changing license plates. The information helped investigators reconstruct vehicle movements and connect related incidents.

In another case, following a February 2025 armed robbery and double homicide at a Gadsden County convenience store, investigators identified the suspect vehicle. A Flock alert later detected the vehicle traveling through another jurisdiction, helping officers coordinate across agencies and eventually capture the suspect in Suwannee County.

TPD also reports ALPR technology contributed to resolving several attempted murder or homicide investigations between 2022 and 2026, including the November 2022 FAMU basketball court homicide and 2025 and 2026 Tallahassee homicide cases. In March 2026, officers used ALPR data to locate an elderly person with dementia who had been reported missing.

Flock provides an additional benefit because participating law enforcement agencies can share information. TPD determines which agencies may access its Flock data, while other agencies decide whether their information is available to Tallahassee investigators. That can allow investigators to follow vehicles beyond the reach of TPD-owned cameras.

Safeguards and Audits

TPD’s General Order 56 limits ALPR use to active criminal intelligence or investigative purposes. Searches require an authorized user to provide a purpose and case number, and access is controlled through individual login credentials.

The department also says an ALPR alert by itself generally does not give an officer authority to take enforcement action. Officers must visually verify the license plate and confirm the information through appropriate law enforcement databases.

Other safeguards include mandatory training, restrictions against using the system for personal interest or curiosity, and auditing of searches. Misuse can result in discipline, termination, criminal arrest or civil liability. TPD policy establishes a minimum 30-day data-retention period, subject to applicable public-records requirements.

Those auditing provisions recently received a real-world test. TPD identified 293 searches that were flagged by the system for further review. According to the city, each was investigated and determined to have been conducted for a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

TPD also launched a public Flock Transparency Portal on Aug. 25 providing information about ALPR reads, searches, hits, policies and other information.

The discussion comes as other governments reconsider the technology. Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil recently suspended LCSO’s use of ALPR technology pending additional standards and oversight, while the Florida Department of Transportation has revoked permits allowing ALPR devices within state highway rights-of-way. The FDOT action does not prohibit ALPR technology generally, but requires affected cameras to be removed from state rights-of-way.

The City Commission agenda does not recommend ending TPD’s ALPR program. Instead, commissioners are being asked to provide direction on the technology’s future use as officials weigh its documented investigative benefits against concerns involving privacy, data access, retention and oversight.

Mayor John Dailey and Commissioners Curtis Richardson and Dianne Williams-Cox supported moving forward with Jumonville, while Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter voted against the motion. Jumonville’s contract is expected to return to the commission for final ratification on Sept. 9.

Before the final vote, Matlow and Porter, the commission’s progressive wing, proposed hiring Jumonville under a one-year contract. The proposal was rejected by the commission majority, with Dailey arguing that a short-term agreement would create instability, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

The contract debate reflected a larger disagreement that has surrounded the city manager search for months. Matlow and Porter have argued that the commission should not make a long-term appointment shortly before the November elections, which could change the makeup of the five-member board. WFSU reported that the two commissioners said Wednesday that the process had been rushed and could result in instability if the incoming commission wants a different manager.

The commission majority has rejected that argument, maintaining that the current commission has a responsibility to select a permanent replacement for retiring City Manager Reese Goad.

Jumonville was one of three finalists recommended by S. Renée Narloch & Associates, the firm hired by the city for $30,000 to conduct the nationwide search. The other finalists were Scott Andrews, former county manager of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and Valerie Washington, assistant city manager in Fort Worth, Texas.

As previously reported by Tallahassee Reports, the three finalists emerged from 37 applicants representing nine states and the District of Columbia. The applicant pool included 13 current or former city and county managers and five deputy or assistant city managers.

Jumonville brings considerably more Tallahassee experience than the other finalists. She joined city government in 1999 and was promoted to deputy city manager in March 2025 after serving as an assistant city manager since 2022. She previously headed the city’s Growth Management Department and was the first woman to serve as its director.

As deputy city manager, Jumonville oversees departments with a combined budget exceeding $270 million and approximately 700 employees. The city manager is responsible for a much larger organization — nearly 4,000 employees, a roughly $1.2 billion operating and capital budget, six municipal utilities, the Tallahassee Police Department, fire services, parks and recreation and Tallahassee International Airport.

During her presentation to commissioners, Jumonville emphasized both her experience and the responsibility that comes with the position.

“I understand first hand the significance of this position, its importance to the community and the extraordinary responsibility that comes with it,” Jumonville said, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. She said her focus would include aligning city spending with priorities established by the commission.

At Tuesday’s public meet-and-greet, Jumonville told WFSU that she would focus on “fiscal stewardship” while fostering the city’s “one team mentality and culture.”

Jumonville will replace Goad, who announced earlier this year that he would retire effective Sept. 30 or when his successor is selected. Goad has served as city manager since 2018 and had previously endorsed Jumonville as a strong candidate for the position.

In an eight-page order filed Monday, Aug. 31, Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh granted motions to dismiss filed by the City of Tallahassee and the Florida State University Board of Trustees. The ruling ends the case at the trial-court level unless the plaintiffs pursue an appeal.

The lawsuit was filed April 30 by the Tallahassee Branch NAACP and four residents — Jacqueline Y. Perkins, Moises Humberto Martinez, Ada Kilpatrick and Wilson Barnes. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief challenging the city’s March 11 vote to transfer the hospital assets to FSU.

The complaint argued the city failed to comply with Section 155.40 of Florida law in carrying out the transaction and alleged the transfer could put health care for indigent residents at risk.

Marsh dismissed the case on what he described as “multiple independent and alternative grounds,” finding that each was sufficient on its own to require dismissal.

First, the court ruled the plaintiffs lacked standing under Section 155.40. Marsh found that the law provides a specific process for challenging a hospital sale or lease and limits an “interested party” to someone submitting a proposal to buy or lease the hospital along with the governing board. None of the plaintiffs submitted such a proposal or sought appellate review of a decision by the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration.

The court also found the plaintiffs lacked standing under broader legal principles because they had not alleged a specific injury different from that potentially experienced by the community generally. The order characterized their status as residents and possible future hospital patients as a generalized grievance and found their claimed financial injury depended upon a speculative series of future events.

In a separate and potentially significant finding, Marsh ruled that Section 155.40 does not apply to the transaction.

The statute addresses the sale or lease of a public hospital to a for-profit or nonprofit Florida entity. FSU, Marsh wrote, is neither. Instead, FSU is a governmental entity and an agency of the State of Florida. Therefore, the court concluded, transferring the assets to FSU falls outside the type of transaction regulated by the statute.

Marsh also determined that allowing the plaintiffs to amend their complaint would be futile because the legal defects identified by the court could not be corrected through new allegations. The case was therefore dismissed with prejudice, making the ruling final at the circuit-court level.

The judge emphasized that his ruling should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the city’s hospital-transfer policy.

“This court can only decide whether or not the policy is legal,” Marsh wrote, adding that the court cannot “second guess whether that is a good or bad policy.”

S. Renée Narloch & Associates is recommending Scott Andrews, former county manager of Doña Ana County, New Mexico; Karen Jumonville, Tallahassee deputy city manager; and Valerie Washington, assistant city manager in Fort Worth, Texas.

The three emerged from a field of 37 applicants from nine states and the District of Columbia, including 13 current or former city and county managers and five deputy or assistant city managers. The recruiting firm screened candidates against the position requirements, conducted preliminary interviews and reviewed public records before making its recommendations.

The Tallahassee City Commission is scheduled to receive an update on the search at its Aug. 26 meeting.

Scott Andrews

Andrews brings experience as both a city and county manager and has worked in local government for more than two decades.

Most recently, Andrews served as county manager for Doña Ana County, New Mexico, after being selected for the position in 2024. Before that, he was an assistant city manager in Bakersfield, California, where his responsibilities included finance, human resources, economic development, information technology, community relations and risk management.

His previous positions included city manager of Covington, Georgia; assistant city administrator in Smyrna, Georgia; economic development director in Sugar Hill, Georgia; and several positions with the City of Temple Terrace, Florida. He has a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate in organizational leadership.

Andrews’ recent tenure in New Mexico, however, ended abruptly. The Doña Ana County Commission voted unanimously on July 21, 2026, to terminate his employment agreement without cause after a closed session. Andrews had served as county manager since October 2024.

Karen Jumonville

Jumonville offers the most extensive Tallahassee experience of the three candidates.

She was promoted to deputy city manager in March 2025 after serving as an assistant city manager since 2022. At the time of her promotion, the city reported that she had more than 28 years of professional experience, including nearly 26 years with Tallahassee city government.

Jumonville previously served as director of the city’s Growth Management Department beginning in 2010 and became the first woman to hold that position. She joined the city in 1999 after previously working for Leon County and the City of Quincy.

As deputy city manager, Jumonville provides managerial oversight across city departments and directly oversees Resource Management, Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure, Environmental Services and Community Beautification, and Solid Waste. Those operations have a combined budget exceeding $270 million and approximately 700 employees.

Jumonville earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida State University, including a doctorate in public administration, and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Valerie Washington

Washington has served as an assistant city manager for Fort Worth, Texas, and has extensive experience in public safety-related government operations.

In Fort Worth, Washington currently oversees Aviation, Environmental Services, the Office of the Medical Director and Property Management. She also has assignments involving the city’s Fire Ad Hoc Staffing Committee, 911 Working Group, MedStar emergency medical services and Payroll Task Force.

Washington joined Fort Worth in 2015 after working for the City of Indianapolis. Her experience there included positions involving police, fire, emergency management, animal care and control, the Citizen Police Complaint Office and public safety communications.

Her Fort Worth experience is potentially significant given the scope of Tallahassee’s city manager position. Tallahassee’s city manager oversees a nearly 4,000-person workforce, a roughly $1.2 billion operating and capital budget, six municipal utilities, the Tallahassee Police Department, a countywide fire department, parks and recreation operations and Tallahassee International Airport.

What’s Next

The three candidates are competing to replace City Manager Reese Goad, who has announced his retirement effective Sept. 30 or upon selection of his successor. Goad was named interim city manager in November 2017 and permanently appointed in September 2018.

The City Commission hired S. Renée Narloch & Associates in May for $30,000 to conduct the nationwide search. The process included meetings with the mayor and each commissioner to develop a candidate profile, national advertising, recruiting and headhunting, application screening, preliminary interviews and public-record searches.
The finalists are scheduled for individual interviews with the mayor and commissioners on Sept. 1, followed by a public meet-and-greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Parkview at Cascades.

On Sept. 2, the candidates will make public presentations before the City Commission, followed by commission deliberations from 9 a.m. to noon at City Hall.

Following the interviews, the recruiter is expected to conduct detailed background, reference and education checks on the finalist, including credit, criminal, civil litigation and motor vehicle record reviews. The firm will also assist the city with negotiations and the final appointment process.

The proposal, included on the commission’s consent agenda, would authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a Joint Project Agreement with the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency. The agreement would coordinate city utility improvements with Blueprint’s Northeast Corridor Connector: Bannerman Road Project.

Blueprint’s project calls for widening Bannerman Road from Quail Common Drive to Preservation Road, constructing medians and turn lanes between Quail Common Drive and Meridian Road, and adding multimodal transportation and stormwater improvements.

Construction is currently expected to begin in late 2027.

The road improvements will affect existing City of Tallahassee water and sewer infrastructure, requiring some utilities to be relocated or adjusted. Rather than simply move the affected infrastructure, city officials are proposing significant upgrades to the water and wastewater systems while the roadway is under construction.

The city plans to replace an existing 10-inch water main with a 12-inch main, which officials say will increase water system capacity and improve pressure in the area.

The larger portion of the investment involves wastewater infrastructure. The city plans to install a new 24-inch sewer force main as part of a broader regional wastewater system improvement.

Of the estimated $9.5 million city cost, approximately $1.5 million is associated with water improvements and $8 million with sewer improvements. The estimate includes construction, inspection, staff and project management costs.

Funding has already been identified in the city’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan through Water System Engineering and Wastewater Collection Engineering master funds and the Northeast Forcemain and Pump Station Improvements project.

Blueprint will separately pay for utility relocation work made necessary by the road construction. The city’s $9.5 million expenditure is associated with the additional water and sewer upgrades it is choosing to undertake in conjunction with the project.

According to the agenda item, combining the utility and roadway work under one construction contract is expected to improve coordination, reduce potential construction conflicts and minimize disruptions to motorists. City officials also expect the joint approach to produce cost efficiencies compared with undertaking the utility improvements separately.

The agreement between Blueprint and the city would establish responsibility and terms for both the utility relocations required by the road project and the additional utility upgrades being funded by the city.

City staff recommends approval of the agreement. Because the item is on the consent agenda, it could be approved along with other consent items without separate discussion unless a commissioner requests that it be pulled for consideration.

Matlow finished first with 14,908 votes, or 36.0%, followed by Ausley with 13,971 votes, or 33.8%. Parks captured 10,466 votes, or 25.3%, while Republican Mike Foust received 2,039 votes, or 4.9%. Together, Parks and Foust accounted for 12,505 votes — more than 30% of the votes included in the district analysis. Those voters now face a choice between Matlow, a progressive city commissioner, and Ausley, a liberal Democrat with a long history in state politics.

But there is another factor that could be just as important: November is likely to feature a substantially larger and potentially more moderate electorate than the lower-turnout August primary. That means the runoff cannot be analyzed simply by redistributing the Parks and Foust votes between Matlow and Ausley.

Parks Vote Concentrated in Districts 1 and 2

Parks’ support was particularly strong in District 1, which is predominantly African American. Parks received 3,119 votes there, nearly half of all votes cast in the district. Matlow finished second with 2,125, while Ausley received just 900.

District 2 produced another strong Parks showing. Matlow led with 1,414 votes, but Parks was close behind with 1,211. Ausley received 557.

Combined, Parks received 4,330 votes in Districts 1 and 2. Matlow received 3,539 and Ausley received only 1,457.

The numbers reveal a significant challenge for Ausley in particular. Despite finishing only 937 votes behind Matlow citywide, she received approximately 2,100 fewer votes than Matlow across those two districts. The runoff therefore puts a large bloc of voters who supported Parks back into play, especially in parts of Tallahassee where Ausley performed poorly in the primary.

Ausley Shows Strength in Districts 3 and 4

Ausley’s coalition looked much different.

District 3, which is majority middle-class Democratic, was virtually tied. Ausley received 3,690 votes compared with Matlow’s 3,652 — a difference of only 38 votes.

District 4 provided Ausley with her strongest geographic advantage. Ausley received 4,367 votes there compared with Matlow’s 2,717, giving her a 1,650-vote advantage. Parks received 1,636 and Foust received 747.

The results indicate that Ausley performed particularly well in the more conservative-leaning portions of the city despite running as a Democrat. That could become more significant in November if the general election attracts voters who skipped the August primary.

Matlow’s District 5 Advantage

Matlow’s most important geographic advantage came from District 5, the city’s largest voting bloc and an area with a substantial progressive population. Matlow received exactly 5,000 votes, compared with Ausley’s 4,457, Parks’ 2,430 and Foust’s 587.

The 543-vote Matlow advantage was not overwhelming, but the district’s size makes it particularly important. Nearly one-third of all votes in the geographic analysis came from District 5.

Matlow’s performance there demonstrates the importance of his progressive base. However, the November question is whether the political composition of the electorate changes as turnout increases.

The November Wild Card

The biggest mistake in analyzing the runoff would be to assume the 41,384 people represented in the primary district totals constitute the November electorate.

They almost certainly will not.

General elections typically attract substantially more voters than August primaries. The Leon County Supervisor of Elections lists 182,806 registered voters countywide at the 2026 primary book closing, illustrating the much larger universe of potential voters beyond those who participated in the city mayoral contest. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

A larger November electorate could also have a different political composition.

Primary elections tend to disproportionately attract voters who are more politically engaged. The November general election brings federal and statewide contests onto the ballot and can draw voters who participate less consistently in local primary elections.

If that expanded electorate is more moderate than the August electorate, the change could be particularly important in a contest between a progressive candidate and a more traditional liberal Democrat.

It also means Matlow’s 36%-to-33.8% primary advantage over Ausley should not necessarily be viewed as a 2.2-point head start in November.

The electorate itself will change.

More Than 12,000 Primary Votes Are Available

Even before considering new November voters, more than 12,000 people who voted for Parks or Foust must make another choice if they vote in the mayoral runoff. Those voters come from very different portions of Tallahassee’s political landscape.

Parks’ strongest support came from predominantly African American District 1. Foust’s best percentage came from conservative-leaning District 4. Parks also attracted significant support throughout the city, including 2,430 votes in District 5 and 2,070 in District 3.

Matlow therefore enters November with an advantage among the voters who participated in August, but without anything approaching a majority coalition.

Ausley begins only 937 votes behind, with demonstrated strength among middle-class Democrats and voters in the city’s more conservative-leaning areas, but with substantial ground separating her from Matlow in Districts 1 and 2.

The primary identified each candidate’s political base. The November election will test something different: which candidate can assemble a majority from a larger and potentially different Tallahassee electorate.

With 30% of primary voters having supported someone other than Matlow or Ausley — and thousands of additional voters potentially joining the electorate in November — the runoff begins less as the second round of the August election than as a new race with a different political equation.

Beginning July 8, detectives investigated seven smash-and-grab-style burglaries that occurred throughout Tallahassee, with the most recent taking place on Aug. 2. In each case, the suspects used a large object to shatter the front glass door of a business before immediately targeting the cash register and fleeing in less than three minutes. Through investigative work, detectives determined all seven incidents were connected.

As the investigation continued, detectives collected evidence and subsequently identified the primary suspect, along with the vehicle believed to have been used during the burglary spree. Additionally, during several of the burglaries, the suspect was armed with a firearm while unlawfully entering the businesses.

The investigation ultimately led detectives to identify and locate the individuals responsible for the burglary spree. Through evidence collected during the investigation, detectives linked the suspects to the series of burglaries and recovered a firearm believed to have been used during several of the offenses. All three individuals were taken into custody without incident.

“This case is another example of the dedication and collaboration that exists across the Tallahassee Police Department,” said Chief Lawrence Revell. “From patrol officers responding to the initial calls to detectives, crime analysts and specialized investigative units working tirelessly behind the scenes, this investigation demonstrates our commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting our business community.”

Those arrested include, Kymani Geter,16, who was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure, armed burglary of an unoccupied structure, attempted armed burglary of an unoccupied structure, criminal mischief, and seven counts of petit theft.

Zyah Geter, 21, was charged with attempted unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and petit theft.

Antwaniya Winchester, 19, was charged with attempted unarmed burglary of an occupied structure, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and petit theft.

The candidates include Darryl Alfred Jr., Tom Derzypolski, Talethia O. Edwards, Maxwell Herrle, PJ Perez, and Norm Roche.

Political Background

While the Tallahassee City Commission seats are non-partisan, the candidates shared their personal party affiliations and political journeys during a recent forum.

Darryl Alfred said he is a registered Democrat. He mentioned being raised in a “vote blue no matter who” household but emphasized that he does not want to focus solely on party affiliations. Tom Derzypolski said he is a registered NPA (No Party Affiliation) . He stated that he chooses to be an NPA because he seeks the “best leadership for the moment” rather than following a specific party.

Norm Roche has been registered as an NPA for over a decade. His political journey included being a Democrat in his youth and then a Republican for approximately six years before deciding that parties serve themselves rather than the people.

Talethia Edwards said she is a registered Democrat and stated she has been one her entire life.

Max Herrle said he is a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and a believer in the power of unions and labor.

PJ Perez is currently a registered Democrat. He noted that he was an NPA for a long time while working as a teacher to maintain the trust of his students.

City Manager Reese Goad’s Tenure

The candidates’ evaluation of City Manager Reese Goad varied sharply. Norm Roche gave Goad an A-minus, whereas PJ Perez and Max Herrle gave him an F, with Perez citing his role in commission “divisiveness.”

Darryl Alfred assigned a D, stating residents do not feel he is accountable, while Tom Derzypolski gave a B-minus, partially crediting him for “incredible” city departments. Talethia Edwards declined to give a grade, citing a lack of direct experience working with him.

Stance on the Sale and Potential Impact of Hospital Assets

The candidates’ views on the actual transfer of assets ranged from cautious hope to direct opposition.

Norm Roche explicitly supported the idea, calling it a “good move” focused on improving healthcare delivery and costs.

Tom Derzypolski viewed the sale as a “pivot point” for the community to attract research and pharmaceutical jobs, though he remained displeased with the process.

Darryl Alfred remained hopeful because FSU has provided much for the community, and he wants to see the partnership expand healthcare access for underserved areas.

Max Herrle expressed a desire to believe in FSU’s ability to make TMH a world-class facility but emphasized that community trust must be rebuilt.

Talethia Edwards stated she is not in agreement with selling public property assets but acknowledged the vital importance of expanded healthcare services.

PJ Perez expressed fear regarding the loss of local control over healthcare and potential influence from the state government, urging that the under-insured must have a seat at the table.

The Sale of the City Golf Course

One of the most contentious issues was the city’s decision to sell the golf course to the Capital City Country Club.

Norm Roche supported the decision, arguing it was a good partnership that saved the city from

spending $30 million on upgrades and Talethia Edwards suggested that putting the property on the tax rolls could be beneficial.

Tom Derzypolski expressed strong criticism regarding the process used to sell the city golf course to the Capital City Country Club. He characterized the deal as part of a series of “backroom shenanigans” that lead the public to question city leadership and bring distrust to the process.

Darryl Alfred stated the sale “sickens” him, arguing it was rushed and undervalued while failing to respect the graves of people buried on the property.

Max Herrle asserted that the treatment of the site was racially motivated, stating that if the bodies were white, the city would never have sold the land.

PJ Perez characterized the future of the site as a “Tallahassee Mar-a-Lago” that would exclude the public.

Candidate Biographies

Darryl Alfred Jr. is campaigning on a message centered on neighborhood engagement, economic opportunity and quality-of-life improvements. A Tallahassee resident, Alfred

works as a Realtor and rideshare driver, saying those jobs have given him firsthand insight into the concerns of residents from across the city. He has described the conversations he has with passengers as informal “town halls” that shaped his decision to seek public office.

Alfred’s campaign focuses on practical solutions to issues affecting working families. He has identified affordable housing, transportation, neighborhood investment and support for local entrepreneurs among his top priorities.

Alfred has also spoken about increasing transparency at City Hall and making city government more responsive to residents. He argues that elected officials should spend more time listening to citizens before making major policy decisions.

Norm Roche brings decades of public service experience to the Seat 3 race. Roche is running after a career that includes service as a county commissioner in Pinellas County and leadership roles in business and public administration.

He entered the race saying his experience managing budgets and overseeing public services would provide a seasoned perspective on the Tallahassee City Commission. Roche has campaigned on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment and accountable government. He has argued that city leaders should carefully evaluate spending decisions while maintaining essential public services and investing in roads, utilities and other long-term infrastructure needs.

During candidate forums, Roche highlighted his previous elected experience, saying it has prepared

him to evaluate complex budgets, work collaboratively with colleagues and make difficult policy decisions. He has also stressed transparency and consistent communication with residents as key responsibilities of elected officials.

Tom Derzypolski brings a background in public relations and communications to the nonpartisan race. Derzypolski is the founder of a Tallahassee-based public relations firm and has said his professional experience helping organizations communicate and solve problems has prepared him for public office. When announcing his candidacy, he said he wanted to represent “real families, real challenges, and a city that works for all the people who live here.”

His campaign emphasizes government accountability, responsible growth and expanding economic opportunities. Derzypolski has said Tallahassee should focus on attracting higher-paying jobs, supporting small businesses and improving the city’s competitiveness while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

During candidate forums, Derzypolski discussed the importance of strategic economic development, including continued investment in Tallahassee International Airport as an economic asset.

Derzypolski has also stressed transparency in local government and improving communication between city leaders and residents. He says public officials should clearly explain policy decisions and provide opportunities for meaningful citizen input.

Talethia Edwards campaigns on community advocacy and neighborhood investment. Edwards has built her campaign around her experience as a community organizer and advocate. She has worked with neighborhood groups and civic organizations, saying those experiences have given her a strong understanding of the challenges facing families throughout Tallahassee.

Her campaign priorities include affordable housing, equitable economic development, improved public safety and expanding access to city services. Edwards has said local government should ensure that economic growth benefits all neighborhoods and that residents have a greater voice in decisions affecting their communities.

During candidate forums, Edwards discussed the importance of investing in neighborhoods while supporting economic development projects that create jobs and strengthen the city’s tax base. She has also emphasized collaboration between the City Commission, community organizations and residents to address housing costs, infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns.

Edwards has called for increased transparency in city government and believes stronger public engagement can improve trust between residents and elected officials.

Max Herrle campaigns on affordability, utility costs and government reform. Herrle has spent several years working in local politics and public policy. A political consultant and community advocate, Herrle has worked on campaigns for local elected officials and has been active in discussions involving neighborhood planning, transportation and city government.

Herrle’s campaign centers on making Tallahassee more affordable. He has made reducing city utility bills the cornerstone of his platform, arguing that residents face increasing financial pressures from housing, insurance and energy costs. He has proposed reviewing the city’s electric utility, reducing unnecessary spending and identifying efficiencies that could lower monthly bills for customers.

Beyond affordability, Herrle has advocated for expanding housing choices, improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and increasing transparency in city government. He has said residents should have greater input on development decisions and believes public engagement should occur before major projects are approved.

During candidate forums, Herrle emphasized that Tallahassee should pursue economic growth while ensuring neighborhoods are protected and city investments produce long-term value. He has argued that local government should prioritize fiscal responsibility alongside infrastructure improvements and environmental stewardship.

PJ Perez focuses on neighborhoods, education and smart growth. Perez, a long-time educator, is running a campaign emphasizing public service, neighborhood investment and responsible growth.

Perez has taught in Leon County schools for more than 15 years, including at SAIL High School and Tallahassee Collegiate Academy. He moved to Tallahassee to attend college and chose to remain after beginning his teaching career, saying his experiences as an educator and parent inspired him to seek public office. His campaign priorities include affordable housing, transportation, environmental sustainability and increasing opportunities for working families.

Perez has argued that Tallahassee’s growth should be guided by long-term planning that protects established neighborhoods while encouraging economic development that benefits all residents. Perez has also emphasized improving public trust in city government through greater transparency and community engagement.

During public forums, Perez has discussed balancing economic development with environmental protection and maintaining Tallahassee’s quality of life. He has expressed support for attracting new businesses while ensuring city policies remain focused on affordability and sustainable growth.

The promotions were announced during a ceremony recognizing the officers’ accomplishments and their expanded leadership responsibilities within the department.

Promoted to deputy chief were Calvin Bedenbaugh and Jeff Mahoney. Sonya Bush was promoted to major. The department also elevated five officers to the rank of captain: Charzetta Felton, Anitra Highland Simmonds, Zachary Lyne, Damon Miller Jr. and Laura Varble.

Police Chief Lawrence Revell said the promotions underscore the department’s commitment to developing future leaders.

“One of the most important responsibilities of today’s leaders is preparing future leaders,” Revell said. “These promotions reflect the depth of talent within our department and our commitment to developing leaders who are ready to guide this organization into the future. I hope every officer sees that there is a path to leadership through hard work, integrity and service.”

The promotions come as the City of Tallahassee implements a voluntary separation incentive program designed to reduce personnel costs and help address budget pressures. Approved by the City Commission in April, the program offers eligible full-time employees hired before the start of 2026 a choice between a $20,000 severance payment or 12 weeks of base pay, whichever is greater. Participants also receive city-paid health insurance through the end of the calendar year and payment for accrued leave.

City officials have said the program is intended to reduce personnel expenses by about 5% while allowing departments to reorganize and promote employees into leadership positions without reducing public services.

According to city records, 171 employees accepted the incentive package, exceeding the city’s initial projections. Those employees represented approximately 1,700 years of combined service and more than $12 million in annual salaries. The Tallahassee Police Department accounted for 21 of the voluntary departures, one of the highest totals among city departments.

Against that backdrop, the latest command staff promotions represent more than routine career advancement. They are part of a broader succession planning effort as the department replaces experienced personnel and prepares a new generation of leaders to oversee operations, mentor officers and implement departmental priorities.

Deputy chiefs serve among the department’s highest-ranking officials, assisting the chief with strategic planning and daily operations. Majors oversee major divisions or bureaus, while captains command patrol districts, investigative units and specialized teams.

The Tallahassee Police Department said the newly promoted leaders will help guide the agency through its next chapter while continuing its mission of protecting the community and maintaining public safety.

At approximately 12:03 a.m., on July 4th, TPD responded to the area after it was reported an individual had been robbed. When officers arrived, an adult male was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were immediately attempted, but sadly the victim succumbed to his injuries.

This remains an open and active investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Currently, there is no known ongoing threat to the public.