The City of Titusville held a special council meeting on Saturday, July 12, 2025, to conduct final interviews and select a new city attorney. After hours of deliberation, public comment, and candidate evaluations, the council voted 3–2 to appoint Michael Rodriguez, a decision now generating significant concern over his controversial past and perceived hostility toward citizens.
Structured Interviews and Evaluation
The meeting opened at 1:00 p.m. with procedural formalities before transitioning into structured interviews with four finalists:
- Andre Treasure, Assistant City Attorney for West Palm Beach
- Michael Rodriguez, Chief Deputy City Attorney for Palm Bay and former City Attorney for Apopka
- Scott McHenry, former Orange County Senior Attorney
- Jennifer Cockcroft, board-certified in local government law
Each candidate was interviewed for 30 minutes, with council members adhering to a consistent question framework focusing on litigation experience, ordinance drafting, outside counsel oversight, and communication style.
Rodriguez Selected After Divided Council Vote
After a lengthy discussion, Council Members Sarah Stoeckel, Herman Cole, and Mayor Andrew Connors voted in favor of Michael Rodriguez, citing his litigation background and experience managing high-conflict cases in municipalities like Palm Bay and Apopka.
Stoeckel emphasized the need for an attorney who “isn’t afraid of lawsuits,” referencing prior legal threats against the city. Vice Mayor Cole described Rodriguez’s demeanor as strong and effective, and the mayor echoed sentiments that the city needed someone who could handle “high-profile legal matters.”
Council Members Jo Lynn Nelson and Megan Moscosco opposed the choice, instead supporting Scott McHenry, citing his AV-rated credentials, calm demeanor, and extensive experience in complex litigation, including a major case against Universal Studios. Both expressed concern about the temperament and optics surrounding Rodriguez’s appointment.
Public Concerns Intensify After Rodriguez’s Selection
Following Rodriguez’s selection, residents expressed alarm after learning more about his controversial history in Apopka, where he resigned just before a 3–2 council vote to terminate his contract as city attorney.
Apopka citizens and former officials have characterized Rodriguez as “vindictive,” “rude,” “confrontational,” and “anti-citizen.” A particularly alarming incident involved Rodriguez referring to outspoken residents at a public meeting as the “peanut gallery” and stating openly that he “didn’t care what they had to say.”
Titusville residents now believe the council was already aware of this history and intentionally selected Rodriguez due to his confrontational stance toward citizens. They allege that council members are preparing for anticipated lawsuits, particularly in light of ongoing controversy involving public records access, police accountability, and citizen-led oversight.
On local forums and community pages, citizens voiced frustration. One resident wrote:
“Titusville already struggles with public trust. Hiring a city attorney known for disrespecting residents and clashing with officials sends a clear message: the city is bracing for legal war with its own citizens.”
The repeated mention of “high-profile legal cases” by council members has further fueled concern. In this context, “high-profile” is widely interpreted to mean lawsuits drawing media scrutiny, citizen complaints, or public interest litigation involving controversial city practices. To some, the hiring of Rodriguez is not a legal strategy but a political maneuver to deflect accountability.
July 8 Meeting: Undermining Free Speech and Press?
These fears are compounded by actions taken just days earlier. At the July 8, 2025, council meeting, council members openly discussed potential changes to public participation rules, many of which citizens now see as an effort to suppress dissent and undermine First Amendment rights.
Suggestions made during that meeting included:
- Prioritizing speakers who reside or own property in Titusville, pushing all others to the end of the meeting, regardless of issue
- Requiring petition and request speakers to sign cards affirming their residency
- Limiting or enforcing the placement of signs and media equipment
- Expressing frustration with individuals recording for social media or independent journalism
- Discussing "disruption" based on audience movement, filming, or photography
Councilwoman Sarah Stoeckel and others supported restricting early speaking opportunities to Titusville residents only, proposing that out-of-town speakers be made to wait through long meetings to be heard. One council member called such public participation “disruptive” and suggested more rules be implemented to limit recording during meetings. Another described frustration with “people wandering around taking pictures,” referencing independent journalists.
Although framed as an effort to “restore decorum,” residents see these proposed rule changes as thinly veiled attempts to suppress freedom of speech, press, and assembly, particularly targeting watchdogs, independent media, and citizens who have been critical of the city.
A Divided Council, A Divided Public
Despite the public concerns, the council confirmed Rodriguez’s appointment with a 3–2 vote. Scott McHenry was named as the backup candidate should Rodriguez decline the offer or fail to reach an agreement on contract terms.
Rodriguez will meet with the city’s human resources department to negotiate terms, and his appointment will be brought back for final approval at the July 22, 2025, council meeting.
While council members praised the strength of the candidate pool, many citizens are raising fears that Titusville is no longer seeking collaboration with the public, but preparing to fight it.
Video clips and transcript sources are listed below:
- City of Titusville Special Meeting 7/12/25 at 1:00 pm: https://youtu.be/b-eSusyIvbI?si=hHc2tJAAuyeNE7J3
- City of Titusville Council Meeting 7/8/25 at 6:30 pm: https://youtu.be/7EAqbpkUOa4?si=XrTY_rVLroxo7coe