City Commission Narrowly Approves City Attorney Contract Amid Heated Debate

City Attorney candidate Teresa Prince and Commissioner Genece Minshew

The Fernandina Beach City Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve a controversial employment agreement with incoming City Attorney Teresa Prince. The decision followed a tense discussion marked by concerns over contract terms, recruitment practices, and governance precedent.

At the heart of the dispute were two key provisions: a requirement of a 4-1 supermajority commission vote to terminate the city attorney without cause and a 20-week severance package. Commissioners Genece Minshew and Tim Poynter argued those protections went beyond what is customary for a charter officer and would tie the hands of future commissions.

“This contract doesn’t serve the interests of the city or its citizens,” Minshew said. “It prioritizes the candidate’s self-interest. Why does this candidate feel it is so necessary to have these protections in their contract? If they are confident in their ability to be a great city attorney, then these two items are completely unnecessary."

Poynter agreed in assessing the proposed employment agreement.

I'm a business owner. I would never sign a contract like this," Poynter said. "To me, it looks like someone put a gun to our head and said, here's the deal. So, this is my deal. Take it or leave it. And I'm just happy with leaving it. Quite honestly. Making a bad deal because you feel like you're under the gun."

Minshew also pointed out that the city received just two applicants for the position, and that outreach to professional legal networks had been lacking.

Supporters of the contract, however, argued that stronger protections were warranted due to the politically sensitive nature of the city attorney role.

“I'll say it in general, this commission, the past commission, has gotten ourselves into hot water. That firing a city manager, and then firing a city attorney, who in their right mind wants to work for this, for this city?" said Commissioner Joyce Tuten. "I think the city attorney position is especially at risk of political winds because the law is a lot of times not black and white."

Prince addressed the commission, explaining that her contract requests were modeled on the city manager’s agreement.

“The only major differences are the 4-1 vote requirement for termination without cause and the severance,” she said. “These were based on the volatility of this role — not on personal gain. I am, and have been, open to negotiation.”

The city has earned a tarnished reputation in the aftermath of firing City Manager Dale Martin in 2023 and most recently terminating City Attorney Tammi Bach, who had been in the position for 17 years.

"We have to strongly consider the fact that people don't want to come work for this commission," said Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue. "I don't think we have a choice in this. We're either moving on or it's going to get way worse."

Despite an attempt to delay the vote for further negotiation — which failed for lack of a second — the commission moved forward. Prince is set to begin her duties as city attorney on August 4th.T

he vote failed to remove the perceived negativity of working for the city. It's the second time in 10 months that a charter officer has been hired by a 3-2 margin. Sarah Campbell was hired last September on such a vote by the previous commission. The city manager, city attorney and city clerk are the charter officers who report to the city commissioner. All other city employees report to the city manager.