Lauderhill names Kenny Hobbs permanent city manager after months as interim

The Lauderhill City Commission voted to appoint Kenny Hobbs as the city's permanent city manager on June 9, 2025, after a public hearing and multiple speakers in support of his appointment.

Hobbs, who has worked at city hall in various finance and management roles since the late 1980s and had served as interim city manager, will assume the permanent role after the commission's vote. The commission called the question after extended discussion and public comment; the clerk recorded individual votes and the motion passed with a majority of the commission voting to approve the appointment.

Commissioners and residents who spoke at the meeting praised Hobbs' experience and accessibility. Mayor Denise D. Grant said Hobbs had "executed to a level that I think has surpassed expectations" and described his regular outreach to neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations. Several local business and civic leaders told the commission Hobbs was the right choice for continuity and stability. Sam Trigani, a local business owner, said Hobbs had shown "professionalism, responsiveness, and a sincere commitment to Lauderhill's growth." Former city and county officials and community leaders also addressed the commission in favor of the appointment.

Hobbs spoke briefly after the vote, thanking the commission and city staff and saying he was "humbled" by the appointment. He noted in his remarks that he would continue collaborating with departments and residents to implement the commission's priorities.

Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn raised questions on the record about the compensation terms that accompany the appointment and requested clearer performance benchmarks going forward. During debate, Dunn read elements of the employment agreement into the record, stating the base salary figure in the agreement as $353,961.23 and describing a separate, one-time 10% lump-sum payment (about $32,000) included in the package. She recommended tying future merit adjustments to the city's strategic plan and budget-linked performance measures. The commission did not adopt separate performance benchmarks at the meeting.

Following the vote, several commissioners and community leaders repeated support for Hobbs' long tenure and ties to the city. Commissioner John T. Hodgson said Hobbs had shown he is "a good leader" and Vice Mayor Ray Martin and Commissioner Richard Campbell joined in congratulating him.

Action: Resolution appointing Kenny Hobbs Jr. as permanent city manager passed by the commission (vote recorded by the clerk during the meeting; see provenance). Hobbs will assume the permanent city manager responsibilities under the terms in the employment agreement adopted by the commission.

The commission and Hobbs said they will continue public outreach and quarterly reporting as part of administrative transparency. The commission did not adopt any new, explicit performance benchmarks at the June 9 meeting.