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Daytona Beach extends city manager's contract 3 years over split vote amid audit scrutiny
Summary
After weeks of public debate and a detailed evaluation (aggregate score 3.63/5), the commission voted 4–3 to extend City Manager Derek Feacher’s contract for three years; the decision followed lengthy public comment and an ongoing state/legislative audit into permit and purchasing practices.
The Daytona Beach City Commission voted 4–3 on May 6 to extend City Manager Derek Feacher’s contract for three years after a lengthy evaluation and an extended public comment period about audit findings and management performance.
Commissioners compiled evaluation scores across 10 categories yielding an aggregate rating of 3.63 out of 5. Commissioner remarks and public testimony showed a sharp divide: several commissioners and dozens of residents praised Feacher’s community engagement and local results, while others cited gaps in timely information flow, policy follow‑through and accountability tied to recent audit findings.
"He meets expectations," the commission’s evaluation report summary said of the manager’s aggregate score. Supporters highlighted downtown revitalization, neighborhood investments, and increased visibility: "He rolled up his sleeves, walked the streets to help find solutions to existing problems," testified resident Yvette Presley. Opponents stressed that the city only discovered some systemic issues after the auditor’s review and argued the commission should insist on clearer corrective action and closer oversight.
Public comment included both appeals to allow the manager time to fix problems and calls for more aggressive action. Several clergy and business leaders publicly supported continuation of Feacher’s tenure and urged continuity to preserve ongoing initiatives. Other residents and Commissioner Cantu pointed to permit‑and‑licensing anomalies and P‑card questions that precipitated legislative and state audit attention.
After deliberation and the roll call vote (Perez: no; Strickland: yes; May: no; Cantu: no; Henry: yes; Reid: yes; Mayor Derek Henry: yes), the motion to extend carried 4–3. Mayor Derek Henry, who voted yes, framed the decision as allowing the manager to continue ongoing initiatives while the city addresses identified issues.
What comes next: commissioners who opposed the extension said they wanted stronger, faster corrective actions; supporters said they expect staff to work with the city auditor and the commission to implement the auditor’s recommendations. The commission directed staff to coordinate with the city auditor on specific policy updates in response to audit findings and to provide memos documenting planned policy changes.
