Council Extends Interim City Manager's Term amid Heated Public Comment; National search to proceed

The Riviera Beach City Council voted late Wednesday to extend interim City Manager Bill Wilkins' contract for up to one year or until the council hires a permanent city manager, a decision that followed more than two hours of public comment and sharp exchanges among council members.

Vice Chair Dr. Spiritis moved the extension with an exit ramp negotiated by the chair and city attorney; the amended motion passed 3–2 after a split council debate. Councilwoman Kashama Miller Anderson and Councilwoman Lenir voted no. The motion directs the chair and legal staff to negotiate pro rata pay and a severance ceiling consistent with state statute.

The extension capped a heated discussion in which residents urged the council either to mount a national search immediately or to retain Wilkins through the budget process. Several speakers said the city had not advertised the city manager post on the website or major job boards and called for a transparent recruitment. "May 6th, it's July 1st. It's shocking we haven't even put it on our website," resident Michelle Hughes told the council.

Supporters of Wilkins stressed his decades of municipal experience and the value of having an experienced administrator during a complex budget season and ongoing projects. "When you have someone with over 30 years of experience, respected in the community and living here, it's an opportunity not to waste," one council supporter said.

Separately, the council voted to issue a city RFP to retain an executive recruitment firm so the city has a vendor ready when it schedules interviews. Human Resources Director Brendon Jenkins had paused earlier recruitment work at the chair's request to avoid starting a costly national search while the council considered an extension; council members agreed to proceed with a city RFP so the process can move quickly once a decision date is set.

Under the extension, the administration will negotiate an exit ramp so a newly hired manager could take office without unnecessary payout obligations, council members said. Councilors also asked for periodic updates on the national search and confirmed budget workshop dates in August.

Councilmembers said the vote was not unanimous and reflected differing views on pace, transparency and the level of risk the city should accept during a transitional period.

The action leaves open the timeline for a permanent hire; councilors directed staff to complete a city RFP for an executive search firm and to return with recommended language and costs.