The Record 
Executive Director Contract & Hiring Timeline
August 2025 - May 2026

August 5, 2025 - Executive Director Contract & Search First Placed on the Agenda

• Commissioner Janice Broda requested consideration of the Executive Director contract as the existing agreement approached expiration.

• A motion was made to conduct a national search, publicly advertise the Executive Director position, establish a Board screening and interview process, and use legal counsel to assist with employment terms and related documentation.

• The motion failed for lack of a second. The item was suggested for placement on the September agenda.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, August 5, 2025, p. 3 (Approved Minutes_20250805).

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September 9, 2025 - Board Moves Toward a Competitive Search and Legal Review

• Commissioner Broda again recommended a national search because the current Executive Director contract was up for renewal.

• Commissioner Anna Kirkland moved to study the cost of conducting a national search in-house and to receive the District hiring policy for review.

• After amendments, the Board voted 2-1 to hold a special meeting to review internal and external candidate policy and obtain legal review and advice.

• A separate motion to renew or extend the existing Executive Director contract and begin negotiations immediately died for lack of a second.

• Commissioner Kirkland then moved to table renewal, cancellation or termination action until October 14 following further review and the special meeting. The motion passed 2-1.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, September 9, 2025, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20250909).

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September 25, 2025 - Employee Hiring Policy Reviewed With Legal Counsel

• The Board held a special meeting to discuss the employee hiring policy and the treatment of internal and external candidates.

• Commissioner Kirkland presented a draft policy for discussion.

• District Legal Counsel Paul Amos and David Miklas participated by phone.

• No formal action was taken at this meeting.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, September 25, 2025, p. 1 (Approved Minutes_20250925).

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October 10, 2025 - Board Declines to Proceed With Renewal as Written

• The Board held a special meeting to address the Executive Director agreement.

• Commissioner Kirkland moved that the Board not proceed with renewal of the existing agreement until a full evaluation and discussion of contract terms was completed.

• The motion also called for negotiations regarding a revised agreement or other options and for workshops with the Executive Director.

• Commissioner Broda seconded the motion, and it passed.

• Attorney Paul Amos offered to assist with communications and facilitate contract negotiations.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, October 10, 2025, pp. 1-3 (Aprroved Minutes_20251010 Special).

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October 14, 2025 - Board Formally Engages Legal Counsel and Begins Search Steps

• The Board approved three contract and search-related motions by 2-1 votes.

• The Board voted to work with attorneys to develop a new Executive Director contract.

• The Board directed Human Resources to prepare an invitation for qualifications for the Executive Director position.

• The Board directed legal counsel to begin contract renegotiation with input from the Board and Executive Director.

• Attorney Amos provided a Florida Keys Mosquito Control District Executive Director Employment Contract as a sample for review.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, October 14, 2025, pp. 1-2 (Aprroved Minutes_20251014).

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November 13, 2025 - Draft Contract, KPIs, Job Description and Recruitment Materials Reviewed

• Legal counsel prepared a draft Executive Director employment contract and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Board review.

• The Board reviewed and voted on multiple contract provisions, including employee appeals, Board notification, introductory period, residency, term, renewal, notice and termination provisions.

• Commissioner Kirkland moved to amend license and certification requirements in the Executive Director job description; the motion passed 2-1.

• The Board voted 2-1 to post the Request for Qualifications and revised position description on the District website.

• The Board also voted 2-1 to place the same recruitment materials on FMCA and AMCA websites if permitted.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, November 13, 2025, pp. 2-6 (Approved Minutes_20251113).

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December 11, 2025 - Legal Review Requested Before Further Contract Action

• The Board moved a voting-conflict item ahead of the Executive Director contract discussion because the legal issue could affect participation in contract-related discussion or votes.

• Commissioner Kirkland requested legal review of Florida Statutes cited in the minutes and guidance on disclosure, abstention procedures and next steps.

• The Board unanimously approved the legal-review request.

• Contract and salary items were tabled to December 22 while legal review proceeded.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, December 11, 2025, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20251211).

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December 22, 2025 - Contract Terms Revised Following Legal Review

• District legal counsel summarized its review of the voting-conflict issue and provided guidance regarding disclosure and participation.

• Following the stated abstention and departure of one commissioner from the Boardroom, the remaining Board members continued reviewing Executive Director contract terms.

• The Board addressed provisions including Board notification and personnel actions, severance not to exceed six weeks, salary of $160,921.66, and a proposed term from January 10, 2026 through January 10, 2027.

• Attorneys Paul Amos and David Miklas advised on contract wording, salary and effective-date language, signature provisions and the process for forwarding changes to the Executive Director.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, December 22, 2025, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20251222 Special).

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January 8, 2026 - Existing Director Declines Proposed Terms; Search Is Advertised

• The existing Executive Director stated that she did not agree with the proposed terms and intended to complete the current contract on January 9, while remaining open to negotiation.

• The Board approved a 30-day extension of the existing contract and directed legal counsel to prepare an addendum.

• Commissioner Kirkland moved to advertise the Executive Director position on available platforms; the motion passed unanimously.

• Legal counsel recommended scheduling a special meeting within the 30-day extension window.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, January 8, 2026, pp. 2-4 (Approved Minutes_20260108).

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February 6, 2026 - Contract Negotiations Do Not Reach Final Agreement

• Commissioners Broda and Kirkland met with the existing Executive Director and legal counsel to continue negotiations regarding the employment contract and KPIs.

• Multiple changes were mutually agreed upon, but the parties did not reach consensus on several remaining terms.

• The minutes identified unresolved items including the introductory period, contract term, PTO and accrual, severance, termination vote requirements and salary.

• Legal counsel also advised on KPI language and a performance matrix.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, February 6, 2026, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20260206 Special).

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February 19, 2026 - Acting Director Appointed and Candidate Review Process Established

• The Board appointed Finance Director Claudia Alvarado as Acting Executive Director for two months.

• Human Resources reported receiving 27 applications, including 13 qualified candidates and one internal applicant.

• Following Human Resources and legal counsel recommendations, Commissioner Kirkland moved to interview internal and external candidates at the same time; the motion passed.

• The Board discussed creating an independent evaluation committee to review resumes, rank candidates and recommend candidates for interview.

• Legal counsel explained that a delegated selection committee would be subject to Florida Sunshine Law and public-records requirements.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, February 19, 2026, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20260219).

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March 5, 2026 - Independent Selection Committee Appointed

• The Board appointed Doug Carlson, Roxanne Connelly and Dennis Moore to the IRMCD Employment Selection Committee.

• Legal counsel provided detailed guidance regarding Sunshine Law, public records, conflicts, interview compliance and use of consistent questions.

• Committee members were instructed not to discuss committee business with one another outside a publicly noticed meeting and were cautioned against independent applicant contact or internet searches.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, March 5, 2026, pp. 1-2 (Approved Minutes_20260305 Special).

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March 10, 2026 - Interview Questions and Scoring Process Reviewed

• Interview questions submitted by staff, Board members and the selection committee were reviewed by Human Resources and Attorney Miklas.

• Legal counsel recommended asking the same questions of all candidates and assigning scoring values.

• The Board scheduled a March 23 special meeting to review final rankings, select interview candidates and continue the hiring process.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, March 10, 2026, pp. 3-4 (Approved Minutes_20260310).

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March 23, 2026 - Top Three Candidates Selected for Interviews

• The selection committee recommended the top candidates based on its rankings.

• Commissioner Kirkland moved to select the top three contenders for Executive Director interviews; the motion passed.

• The Board approved interview questions, added four questions and increased the total possible interview score to 300 points.

• Attorney Miklas recommended background screenings and making any job offer contingent on the screening results.

• Additional interview dates were established for April 1 and April 2.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, March 23, 2026, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20260323 Special).

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April 2, 2026 - Finalists Interviewed; Isik Unlu Ranked First

• Three finalists - Natasha Agramonte, Peter Jiang and Isik Unlu - were interviewed using 30 scored questions worth 10 points each.

• Commissioner Broda scored Isik Unlu 242, Natasha Agramonte 232 and Peter Jiang 194.

• Commissioner Kirkland scored Isik Unlu 233, Natasha Agramonte 229 and Peter Jiang 228.

• Both commissioners independently identified Isik Unlu as their first choice.

• Legal counsel discussed remote work, an at-will alternative, contract contingencies and providing a draft contract for negotiations.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, April 2, 2026, pp. 1-2 (Approved Minutes_20260402 Special).

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April 14, 2026 - Contract Negotiations Begin With Selected Candidate

• Isik Unlu participated by phone after providing contract comments to Attorney Miklas.

• The Board agreed to a two-year contract concept and addressed PTO, termination provisions, KPIs and reporting requirements.

• The Board approved a contract term of May 18, 2026 through May 18, 2028.

• Unlu requested a salary of $170,000. The Board offered the existing Executive Director salary of $156,234.

• The Board directed Attorney Miklas to update the KPIs and contract language based on the discussion.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, April 14, 2026, pp. 1-3 (Approved Minutes_20260414).

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May 4, 2026 - Salary, Moving Reimbursement and Start Date Approved

• Isik Unlu counteroffered a salary of $165,000 and referenced salary-comparison information.

• The Board approved moving-expense reimbursement up to $10,000 with supporting documentation.

• The Board approved a salary of $165,000.

• The start date was amended to May 26, 2026.

• Legal counsel advised on reimbursement documentation and contract revisions.

Source: IRMCD Approved Special Meeting Minutes, May 4, 2026, pp. 1-2 (Approved Mintes_20260504).

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May 19, 2026 - Signed Contract Acknowledged

• Isik Unlu had provided the signed Executive Director contract by email to Attorney Miklas.

• Attorney Paul Amos explained that the contract had been executed and no additional Board action was required on the contract.

• The Board later unanimously authorized staff to arrange travel and lodging for Unlu’s first-week travel.

Source: IRMCD Approved Minutes, May 19, 2026, pp. 1-4 (Approved Mintes_20260519).

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About This Timeline
This timeline summarizes actions documented in approved Indian River Mosquito Control District meeting minutes. It is provided so members of the public can review the sequence of events surrounding the Executive Director contract negotiations, recruitment and hiring process. Readers are encouraged to review the original approved meeting minutes for the complete public record.