In a post-election poll conducted by Palm Bay Live, just 19% of respondents said they were happy with the outcome of the election, while 34% said they were not. The remaining participants either chose not to answer or selected “other.”

Despite political headwinds and personal challenges, Lynk has maintained a strong base of support from former colleagues and residents. Several past council members have publicly expressed regret over his 2018 dismissal, and references compiled by the city describe him as innovative, resolute, and deeply committed to the community.

Brown’s leadership philosophy is rooted in empowering communities through sustainable growth. As City Manager of Muskogee, Oklahoma, he helped broker a land swap that resulted in both a juvenile detention center and over a million square feet of new commercial development. While City Manager of Bell, California, he led the city through its first-ever charter code review and helped stabilize finances despite revenue shortfalls.

Lawrence currently serves as Town Manager of Lady Lake, Florida, where he oversees a $42 million budget and leads a full-service municipality of 120 employees. His recent accomplishments include managing major infrastructure projects such as a $20 million wastewater expansion, new park development, and a $5 million library expansion. Under his leadership, Lady Lake approved Hammock Oaks, a residential development project bringing over 4,000 housing units to the area.

Mendez has also held senior leadership roles in Miami Beach, Sweetwater, and Miami-Dade County, as well as with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Palm Beach County School District, managing infrastructure, budgeting, and compliance across multi-jurisdictional operations. His background includes overseeing capital programs as large as $2 billion, directing water and sewer plant operations, and negotiating complex agreements with state and federal agencies including the EPA and DOJ.

Matthew Thomas Morton, one of the eight finalists selected for public interviews in Palm Bay’s City Manager search, offers more than 25 years of public and private sector leadership, with a career defined by innovation, strategic partnerships, and municipal reform.

Davis holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Florida State University. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified Government Executive, among other credentials.

One of the most debated additions to the list was Greg Lynk, the city’s former city manager. Councilman Kenny Johnson spoke about his decision to support Lynk’s return to the candidate pool, despite having voted to terminate him in 2018.
“I had a call from former Councilman Brian Anderson… we shared much discussion over 30 minutes where he cleared the air on a lot of accusations made about Mr. Lynk,” Johnson said. “Our God is a God of second chances. I know so much more now than I did six years ago.”