TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The City of Tallahassee starts the new year with a new city commissioner.
Dr. Elaine Bryant was the unanimous choice Monday night, beating out 92 other applicants.
Bryant said it was "an esteemed honor" to join the city commission.
She's lived here most of her life and for the next two years, she'll be part of city leadership.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Bryant has called Tallahassee home. Now, she gets to help move it forward.
"What an awesome evening and way to bring in 2019," said Dr. Bryant.
She was the first of nine finalists to speak before the city commission, sharing an optimistic vision for Tallahassee.
"We are thankful for our past. We are immersed and engaged in our present, and we are excited about our future," said Dr. Bryant.
Before this role as city commissioner, she's been the CEO of a consulting firm. She's also the human resources director for a state department.
Her history in public service also includes experience with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Leon County Schools, and her alma mater Florida A&M University.
Fellow Rattler and Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox nominated her as her choice for Seat 1.
"I'm very happy that I was chosen, but I must say to you that all of the nine finalists could equally as well as I can serve this community," said Dr. Bryant.
Back to Dr. Bryant's consulting firm. Her resume states one of her most notable clients is the City of Tallahassee.
The city says Dr. Bryant has agreed not to pursue any additional contracts with the city and if there are any outstanding contracts, they will be ended, so that there's no conflict of interest.
Bryant will serve as commissioner until November 16, 2020 or until Scott Maddox can return.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee City Commission has come to an agreement on who should fill the City Commission Seat 1 vacancy.
Elaine Bryant was chosen to fill the Seat 1 vacancy on Monday with a unanimous vote.
Bryant was immediately sworn in and will serve either through the remainder of the seat's term (Nov. 16, 2020) or until the existing commissioner is able to return to service, whichever occurs first.
Seat 1, Maddox's seat, was vacated after news broke that Maddox had been indicted on 44 federal racketeering charges. He was suspended by Gov. Rick Scott earlier this month.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tallahassee City Commissioners are deciding who will fill the seat vacated by Scott Maddox earlier this month.
Governor Scott suspended Maddox after he was federally indicted.
Now, the city commission has nine finalists to take his place.
The commission has now dwindled down the candidates from 93 to 9. Seat 1 became available to the public when the FBI indicted Maddox on racketeering charges.
On Dec. 12, Governor Rick Scott suspended Maddox. Now 19 days later, we are moments away from a new commissioner.
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said the current commission did its best to keep the public informed of the process.
"We have worked really hard to make sure it’s 100 percent transparent and make sure it’s flawless we have followed charter and city policy to the letter and the spirit," said Dailey. "I hope that this community can rally together and we can go to 2019 celebrating a new direction for the city of Tallahassee."
If the city doesn't come to an agreement Monday, the governor will appoint someone to fill the seat.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The countdown begins for the New Year and a New City Commissioner.
Nine finalists are vying for the seat vacated by Scott Maddox after Gov. Rick Scott suspended him from the commission, following a federal indictment earlier this month.
WTXL ABC 27's Jada Williams was live Monday morning with more on Monday's decision by city commissioners.
Tallahassee's commissioner's and Mayor John Dailey will come together Monday to narrow down that list of nine finalists to just one, bringing in 2019 with a full commission.
Here are those 9 finalists in alphabetical order: Elaine Bryant, Gallop Franklin II, Tabitha Frazier, Saralyn Grass, Byron Greene, Lila Jaber, Howard Kessler, Will Messer and Bruce Strouble.
Those nine finalists made it out of a group of 93 applicants.
Each commissioner chose their top three out of the list to move on.
The person selected will serve either through the remainder of the seat's term that's Nov. 16, 2020, or until the existing commissioner is able to return to service, whichever occurs first.
The special meeting starts Monday at 4 p.m. at City Hall. It's open to the public.
If the commission doesn't come to an agreement Monday, the governor will step in to appoint someone to the seat.
