Gooding refuses Fernandina Beach City Commission contract offer

Jennifer Gooding

Following a special meeting held Thursday afternoon May 30, in which Fernandina Beach commissioners came to an agreement on contract terms for the position of city clerk, candidate Jennifer Gooding  has declined the terms and the position.   (Click here for previous story.) According to City Attorney Tammi Bach, Gooding informed Mayor Sarah Pelican Friday morning.

At the upcoming June 4, regularly scheduled city commission meeting, an item is now on the agenda for discussion of next steps.  The agenda item summary follows:

"At the May 30, 2013 City Commission special meeting the City Commission discussed contract provisions for an employment contract for the City Clerk.  Ms. Jennifer Gooding was chosen as the candidate for the City Clerk position; however Ms. Gooding has declined to accept the position and terms of the contract.  At this point, the city commission could discuss next steps for appointment of City Clerk."

Mayor Sarah Pelican

Mayor Sarah Pelican brought forth Gooding's name as a city clerk candidate at the April 16 commission meeting despite City Manager Joe Gerrity's budget concerns and previous insistence that "the clerk’s office is staffed adequately, and that they are responding promptly to public record requests," (Click here)  Vice Mayor Corbett, and Commissioner Gass, joined Mayor Pelican and voiced support to fill the position prior to budget talks.

May 31. 2013 7:27 p.m.