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Belle Glade approves employment agreement for incoming city manager Emory Payne with 30-day notice
Summary
The Belle Glade City Commission unanimously approved an employment agreement for Emory Payne on June 1, amending the draft to increase the termination-notice period to 30 days. Payne confirmed he had reviewed the contract; the initial term is two years with a severance provision.
Belle Glade commissioners voted unanimously on June 1 to approve an employment agreement for their chosen candidate, Emory Payne, amending the proposed contract to require 30 days’ notice for termination by either side.
The item followed a national, state and county search that yielded about 33–35 applications; Payne emerged as the panel’s top candidate. Commissioners said they wanted a contract the city and the incoming manager could live with and asked staff and legal counsel to confirm standard provisions.
A city official reported the draft agreement was similar to prior city manager contracts and would be familiar to the commission. Payne took the microphone during the meeting and told the commission he had reviewed the contract and was comfortable with its terms.
Commissioners focused discussion on the notice and severance terms. The draft agreement under discussion allowed a 15-day notice for termination without cause with a severance provision that would then apply; several commissioners said they preferred a 30-day mutual-notice period. The commission reached consensus to amend the agreement accordingly and then moved to accept the contract as amended.
By roll call the commission recorded affirmative votes from the members present and approved the agreement and related separation and general-release provisions. The approved initial term remains two years; the contract includes a severance provision (described in the meeting as a 20‑week severance where applicable under state law). The commission did not specify a different initial term during the session.
Next steps: the commission approved the contract and related documents on the record; staff will finalize the written agreements for signature by the new manager and the city.
