Marco Island Interim City Manager Appointed Amid Council Tension

Photo Credit:  Doug Knarr

A leadership change has once again swept through Marco Island city government.  The city is navigating a pivotal transition following the resignation of Marco Island City Manager, Mike McNees.

His departure was finalized during a tense City Council meeting, marking the second time in recent months he has offered to step down.

While the council rejected his first attempt in July, this time the decision was accepted, signaling a definitive shift in city administration.

Following McNee's own recommendation, his assistant city manager, Dr. Casey Lucious, was appointed to fill the crucial role on an interim basis.  The contract was approved 5-2 for Casey's salary raise of almost $68,000.  The appointment is historic for the city.

Dr. Casey Lucious is now set to become the first female city manager in Marco Island's history.  Despite the milestone, Lucious expressed a desire for a competitive hiring process for the permanent position.

"I would be honored to serve as interim... but as of tonight it would not be appropriate and I would not want to take this position full time," Lucious stated, emphasizing she wants to earn the role rather than inherit it.

The sudden nature of the decision sparked an immediate reaction from residents attending the meeting, with several voicing concerns over the process.  Comments from the public ranged from feelings of "whiplash" to questioning the legality of voting on a new manager without it being on the official agenda.

Council has established that Dr. Lucious will serve as interim manager effective November 14, while the city begins the formal search for a permanent replacement.

The city now faces the task of defining what that hiring process will entail and how long the search for a new permanent Marco Island City Manager will take.