Pompano Beach commissioners approve 3% raise for city manager after contested public review; no-confidence motion fails

The Pompano Beach City Commission voted 4–2 on July 8 to give City Manager Gregory P. Harrison a 3% pay increase, retroactive to Feb. 21, 2025, after an extended public hearing and sharp exchanges among commissioners.

The raise was proposed by Mayor Rex Harden and seconded; the measure passed on a roll call with Commissioners Fessick, Seegerson Eaton, Smith and Mayor Harden voting yes, and Commissioners Perkins and Vice Mayor Fournier voting no. The commission separately considered, and rejected, a motion of no confidence that would have asked Harrison to resign; that motion failed on a 3–3 roll call.

The debate opened after Human Resources Director Lisa Sonego summarized the mechanics: the commission could discuss Harrison’s performance and any related merit pay, including retroactive pay effective Feb. 21, 2025. Mayor Rex Harden introduced the 3% raise, saying Harrison had led the city through “thick and thin” and citing a multi-page list of accomplishments the manager had submitted for the review.

Opposition centered on process, the city manager’s handling of specific projects and personnel decisions, and questions about communication between the manager’s office and certain commissioners. Vice Mayor Fournier and Commissioner Perkins both voiced sustained criticism during their allotted remarks, with the vice mayor calling for a vote of no confidence and, in the motion that followed, asking that Harrison resign so the city “can move forward.” Commissioner Perkins said she would not support the raise because she preferred using the money to retain or protect existing staff amid ongoing budget pressures.

Public comment at the hearing was extensive and divided. Supporters told the commission they had seen the manager lead major redevelopment, improvements in utilities, tourism and park initiatives, and a steady flow of grants and awards. Tom DiGiorgio said Harrison’s leadership had helped transform the city and praised the city’s recognition across the region. Several residents and local business representatives praised Harrison’s responsiveness and called the no-confidence motion inappropriate. Other speakers, including the vice mayor’s allies and residents from parts of the city who said they felt neglected by past planning, urged stronger accountability and more attention to long-standing neighborhood needs.

Commissioners and staff offered clarifications during the hearing. Lisa Sonego confirmed the raise, if approved, would be retroactive to Harrison’s promotion anniversary, Feb. 21, 2025. Commissioner Fessick referenced a retroactive lump-sum figure that he said would be about $167,841.78; other speakers and staff later discussed the arithmetic and noted that a 3% salary increase would equal roughly $11,551 annually based on the published base salary figures discussed in the meeting.

After the 3% raise passed, Vice Mayor Fournier moved a second, separate measure: a vote of no confidence in the city manager and a request that he resign. That motion was seconded by Commissioner Fessick and put to a roll call: Fessick, Perkins and Fournier voted yes; Seegerson Eaton, Smith and Mayor Harden voted no. With three votes in favor and three opposed, the no-confidence motion did not pass.

No formal employment separation, severance, or contract-change action resulted from the no-confidence vote. Commissioners stated differing views on whether a no-confidence vote would have compelled the city manager to resign or required other follow-up steps. Mayor Harden repeatedly emphasized the need for the commission to act as a body and to preserve established process while Commissioner Perkins repeatedly pressed for more information and said she would not support the raise because of other budget priorities.

The commission’s vote on the raise was recorded in the official roll call and will be reflected in payroll following the retroactive date discussed in the meeting. The commission did not take additional personnel action related to the manager’s employment at the July 8 session.

Why it matters: the city manager is the city’s chief executive and directs staff, budget execution and implementation of commission policy. The July 8 vote both affirms the commission majority’s support for Harrison’s leadership and highlights ongoing division among elected officials and parts of the community about the pace and priorities of Pompano Beach’s redevelopment.

Speakers quoted in this report spoke during the meeting’s performance review public hearing and commission debate; their statements are recorded in the meeting transcript.

Ending: The commission’s decision to approve the raise closes the formal personnel item for July 8. Commissioners and staff signaled they will continue to debate budget choices and project priorities during the city’s budget workshop on July 14 and at future meetings.