Riviera Beach council agrees to separation package with city manager; appoints interim manager

The Riviera Beach City Council spent much of its May 6 meeting negotiating the terms of a proposed mutual separation agreement with City Manager Jonathan Evans. Following item-by-item deliberations and extensive public comment — including sharply divided views from residents — the council agreed on a compensation package and nonmonetary concessions and authorized an interim appointment.

City Attorney Don Nguyen summarized the draft separation agreement and noted several terms requiring council action. Staff presented discrete items for consensus: a lump-sum base-salary payment through July 13, 2026; payment for unused paid time off; restoration/voiding of prior discipline; a release of potential future claims; a small attorney-payment item and relocation costs. Finance staff confirmed the base-salary figure of $75,467.81 for the pay-through date.

Council debated whether to end Mr. Evans’ duties immediately or allow him to work through July 13; Mr. Evans’ counsel initially proposed an effective last day of May 6, and Mr. Evans spoke in the meeting, saying he would accept terms offered to allow a smooth transition. Attorney Wynne and staff clarified which items are entitlements and which are negotiated settlement payments.

After taking public comment from more than a dozen residents — voices ranged from strong support and gratitude to calls for refusal of payments and accusations about process — the council built consensus item by item. The clerk summarized that the monetary items the council agreed to total $85,467.81 (base pay through July 13 plus a relocation or PTO item, depending on which bundle of options was accepted). The agreement also included nonmonetary terms: voiding a written reprimand referenced in the personnel file and a mutual nondisparagement clause; the package would be effective only if Mr. Evans accepted the mutual agreement.

Following the separation discussion, the council appointed former city manager William Wilkins as temporary (interim) city manager to serve while the city prepares an interim agreement and conducts succession planning. The charter allows a temporary manager for up to 120 days; the council directed staff to draft an interim agreement and make the effective date retroactive as needed. The interim appointment passed with at least one dissenting vote on the council.

Mr. Evans offered parting remarks praising staff and reflecting on his service; the council scheduled a Friday town hall and said it will poll council schedules to set any special meeting to ratify written documents if necessary.