Fort Pierce commission declines resignation terms, votes to notify nonrenewal of city attorney contract

The Fort Pierce City Commission spent a large portion of its June 8 meeting debating the future of City Attorney Sarah Hedges, who submitted a resignation letter with an effective date later in the year. The commission first considered a motion to accept the resignation as written; that motion failed on a roll call vote.

A substitute motion — to inform Hedges in writing that the commission would not renew her existing contract — passed 3–2. Commissioners Ronald Zadofsky, Arnold Gaines and Commissioner Johnson voted in favor of the nonrenewal notice; Commissioners Broderick and Mayor Linda Hudson voted against it.

During discussion, some commissioners said Hedges’ offer to resign had been presented as a way to de‑escalate internal conflicts among the city’s charter officers. Others said the contract and notice provisions required the commission to preserve sufficient time to discuss renewal or separation terms. One resident who addressed the commission during public comment urged the body to seek “someone who is fair and impartial” and to ensure access to public records.

Legal counsel advised the commission that, procedurally, the first motion on the floor (acceptance of the resignation) needed to be disposed of before subsequent substitute motions. After the roll calls, the city’s outside labor counsel and human resources were directed to work on separation terms and return to the commission if a mutually agreeable settlement is reached before the contract’s deadlines. The acting city attorney said staff would draft the required notification and continue to pursue options consistent with the commission’s direction.

No final separation agreement or payout terms were approved at the meeting. Commissioners said they expected staff to bring any negotiated agreement back to the dais for public consideration before any personnel action is finalized.