Royal Palm Beach grants village manager 4.9% merit payment after annual performance review

Royal Palm Beach — The Village Council on May 15 completed its annual review of Village Manager Ray Liggins and unanimously approved a 4.9% merit payment to be paid as a lump sum under the terms of his contract.

Council members reviewed six evaluation criteria — human resources, intergovernmental image, long‑range planning, financial management, communications and capital projects — and gave largely positive assessments of Liggins's performance over the prior year. The council's vote followed verbal evaluations from individual council members and a motion to award a 4.9% merit payment.

Council discussion credited Liggins with steady leadership of village staff, active regional engagement on intergovernmental issues, prudent financial stewardship and progress on capital projects. Councilwoman Rodoski said the manager “maintains stable leadership” and offered an evaluative score near 4.8 on a 0–5 scale; Councilwoman Sharpes described the manager's record as strong and awarded a 5. Several council members praised improvements in public outreach and the village's strategic planning work.

The council also clarified a contractual detail: under the village manager's five‑year contract, merit pay awarded in years two through five is paid as a lump‑sum amount and is not added to base salary. Council members confirmed the 4.9% award should be treated as a lump sum for the current evaluation period.

The motion to approve the merit payment was made and seconded and passed unanimously. Liggins acknowledged the council's support and thanked staff and council members for their work.

The village clerk and finance department will process the approved lump‑sum payment consistent with the manager's contract language.