Palm Bay City Council Faces Turmoil Over City Manager Firing and Replacement Efforts
Palm Bay, FL – The Palm Bay City Council’s recent decision to fire City Manager Suzanne Sherman has sparked significant controversy and challenges, as the council continues to navigate its search for a permanent replacement.
Last Thursday, the council voted 3-2 to terminate Sherman, who had served as City Manager since 2020. The vote, led by Councilman Chandler Langevin, was supported by Councilmembers Mike Hammer and Kenny Johnson, with Mayor Rob Medina and Councilman Mike Jaffe dissenting. Langevin defended the decision, stating that Sherman’s leadership was taking the city in the wrong direction and that “sweeping changes” were needed.
However, the firing left the council scrambling for a replacement. Department heads, including Finance Director Larry Wojciechowski and Public Works Director Valentino Perez, declined the interim role. The city’s IT Director, Brian Robinson, also resisted but was ultimately appointed as interim City Manager by a 4-1 vote, despite his protests.
During a workshop meeting on Monday, the council revisited the issue of finding long-term leadership. While Councilman Langevin proposed former City Manager Gregg Lynk for the position, his recommendation was not supported, given Lynk’s controversial past, including allegations of bribery that led to his firing in 2020.
Instead, the council turned its attention to Scott Morgan, the retired former City Manager of West Melbourne. Morgan is being considered for an interim role to help stabilize the city and assist with the recruitment of a permanent City Manager.
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Council discussions reflected a focus on finding a leader who could maintain the city’s current successes while addressing critical issues like lowering the tax and millage rates.
The financial implications of Sherman’s firing remain a pressing concern. Her contract entitles her to a severance package of 20 weeks’ pay, totaling nearly $97,000, along with payouts for accrued leave. These expenses, combined with recruitment costs for a permanent replacement, could further strain the city’s budget.
As Palm Bay grapples with this leadership shake-up, residents are watching closely to see how the council handles these challenges and moves forward with its vision for the city’s future.
Stay tuned to Palm Bay Live for updates on this developing story.
