By Mary Hladky

The Boca Raton City Council has selected longtime Deputy City Attorney Joshua Koehler as city attorney, replacing Diana Grub Frieser, who was ousted by council members in August.

While Frieser’s last day on the job was Oct. 31, she has not attended council meetings since July 23 and Koehler has filled in.

“It is a great honor and I accept,” Koehler said. “I look forward to continue working with you.”

The city had hired executive recruiter James Dinneen to find qualified candidates. Twenty people applied for the position, and he winnowed the list to four. One withdrew from consideration.

After interviewing the three remaining applicants on Oct. 22, council members quickly settled on Koehler, citing the continuity he brings, his desire to offer a fresh perspective on how the job is done, and his plans to streamline the office.

“Josh has been sitting in the main chair for months and has done a remarkable job,” said Council member Andy Thomson.

The council voted unanimously to enter into negotiations to draft an employment agreement with Koehler. Mayor Scott Singer will negotiate the contract.

Koehler, who earned his law degree at the University of Florida, has been deputy city attorney since 2011. Before that, he was assistant city attorney in West Palm Beach.

He is the son of former Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente, and his stepfather, Fred Hazouri, served on the 4th District Court of Appeal.

He is seeking an annual salary of $285,000. Frieser earned $327,591.

The unsuccessful applicants were Clayton Knowles, county attorney/chief legal officer for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, and Ronald Tomasko, assistant county attorney in Collier County.

Frieser, who had served as city attorney since 1999, had planned to retire in 2025. Council members never stated why they wanted her to depart early.

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