The Tallahassee City Commission is preparing to launch a nationwide search for the next city manager following the announced retirement of longtime City Manager Reese Goad. The issue will be addressed during the May 13 city commission meeting. Goad notified commissioners of his intent to retire e ffective Sept. 30, 2026, or when a successor is hired. Goad has worked for the City of Tallahassee for 26 years, including serving as deputy city manager before being appointed interim city manager on Nov. 8, 2017. He was formally appointed city manager in September 2018 and has led the city for nearly nine years. The city manager is one of four appointed officials established by the city charter and serves as the administrative head of city government. The position oversees daily operations, public safety services, utilities, budgeting, personnel decisions and implementation of commission policies. Under Goad’s leadership, the city has managed a fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget of approximately $1.2 billion and assets totaling nearly $6 billion, including pension funds. The city manager also supervises roughly 2,923 employees and oversees six municipal utilities, the region’s largest law enforcement agency, Tallahassee Fire Department operations, more than 100 city parks and the Tallahassee International Airport. To guide the transition, city staff reviewed proposals from two executive recruitment firms already under contract with the city — Ad-Vance and S. Renée Narloch Associates. Staff recommended hiring S. Renée Narloch Associates based on experience, qualifications and cost. The proposed recruitment process is expected to take about 16 weeks and cost approximately $30,000, including advertising, candidate screening, background checks and finalist interviews. The search will include national advertising through professional organizations and direct outreach to experienced public sector administrators. Following the recruitment process, finalists will participate in public interviews with the City Commission before a final selection is made. ...read more read less