Auburndale approves employment agreement for incoming city manager Jeffrey E. Brown

The City of Auburndale Commission on March 16 unanimously approved an employment agreement for Jeffrey E. Brown to become the city manager, with a start date of either April 6, 2026, or no later than April 13, 2026.

The agreement sets an annual base salary of $189,280, provides a one-time $10,000 relocation payment, and credits the new manager with 160 hours of vacation and 80 hours of sick leave on hire. The contract also specifies additional credited leave in years two and three tied to a three-year commitment and caps vacation accrual at 680 hours; leave accrued above the cap is forfeited at the manager’s anniversary. Cost-of-living adjustments will match those given to other city employees. The agreement allows contributions to a tax-advantaged account equal to the Florida Retirement System’s senior management contribution rate and encourages attendance at professional conferences with reimbursement for reasonable costs.

Mayor Alex Cam summarized the negotiation as a collaborative process, saying the parties had "give and take" and used tested agreements from neighboring cities as references. Jeffrey Brown said he appreciated the process and thanked those involved, adding he was "eager to come to work here." Resident Jerry Gaddis asked whether an early performance check (for example at 90 days) would be available rather than waiting a year; City Attorney Frederick J. Murphy Jr. responded that commissioners will meet with the manager at least monthly and that evaluation will be active well before the formal evaluation schedule begins in 2027.

The agreement outlines termination-with-cause provisions consistent with the City Charter and Florida law, and notes that severance is not payable if the manager retires, voluntarily resigns, or is terminated for cause. The contract requires a formal performance evaluation every other year beginning in 2027 and stipulates monthly one-on-one meetings between the manager and commissioners "to advance accountability and to build confidence and trust," language the candidate proposed.

Vice Mayor Jordan Helms moved to approve the agreement; Commissioner Travis Avery seconded, and the motion passed on a unanimous vote. Mayor Cam congratulated Brown following the vote. The agreement was signed by City Attorney Frederick J. Murphy Jr. as legal in form and by Mr. Brown prior to Commission approval.

What happens next: Mr. Brown is expected to begin in April and coordinate with Interim City Manager Amy Palmer on a transitional handoff and onboarding schedule.