FORT PIERCE — A City Commission vote to hire a search firm for Fort Pierce’s next city attorney reopened divisions over the Commission’s decision not to renew City Attorney Sarah Hedges’ contract.
During its July 20 meeting, the Commission voted 3-1 to hire S. Renée Narloch & Associates to conduct the search, but the discussion quickly returned to the controversy that began in April over the roles of the city’s charter officers.
That dispute started April 20, when Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky questioned whether Hedges had exceeded the advisory role of the city attorney by directing City Manager Richard Chase not to seek advice from outside counsel and by requesting the suspension of Finance Director Johnna Morris over a wage garnishment issue. Morris was later reinstated…