PORT ST. LUCIE — The City Council came close Monday afternoon to naming Assistant City Manager Jerry Bentrott to replace Don Cooper as the next city manager.

But Councilwoman Michelle Berger put the brakes on the move.

Mayor Patricia Christensen suggested the city enter into contract negotiations with Bentrott, 61, to replace Cooper, who’s resigning Jan. 8 after 20 years with the city.

At least two other council members, Vice Mayor Jack Kelly and Christopher Cooper, were ready to move forward with Christensen’s recommendation and begin negotiations, but Berger was not.

“I’m still in support of looking at a national search if for no other reason than to benchmark the talent that we currently have,” Berger said. “We have two great individuals that can step into the role. I have no doubt. But certainly part of what we should be looking at is making sure that they are the right person.”

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PORT ST. LUCIE — City Manager Don Cooper is resigning his post after 20 years on the job.

Mayor Patricia Christensen made the surprise announcement at the end of Monday night’s City Council meeting.

“After 20 years of phenomenal work for the city of Port St. Lucie, Mr. Cooper will be leaving us the first of the year,” Christensen said.
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PORT ST. LUCIE — City Manager Don Cooper has decided which of the three finalists will be the city’s police chief, ending speculation that city officials will conduct a second search.

However, Cooper said on Friday he is not releasing the name because no contract has been signed and that he has to present it to the City Council for approval.

Monday is the next Port St. Lucie City Council meeting, but spokeswoman Rita Hart said naming of the police chief is not on the agenda.

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