Why Clearwater officials publicly fired their city manager

Strategic planning issues, insufficient communication and the unauthorized purchase of a $2.1 million sound system are just a few reasons why the Clearwater City Council voted to fire its city manager.

Mayor Frank Hibbard relayed those and a long list of other reasons for City Manager Jon Jennings’ termination during a special council meeting streamed live online Thursday evening. Hibbard also noted that Florida’s “sunshine law” dictates that governmental proceedings and discussions must take place in public.

“People ask why government isn’t efficient or pretty in the way they do things,” said Hibbard. “It’s because it all has to be done up here (in council chambers).

“You get to see the sausage made.”

The sausage, in this case, was the termination of a city manager after just 14 months on the job. Jennings, 60, replaced Bill Horne after his 20-year tenure.

Hibbard began his remarks by stating that he likes Jennings and believes he accomplished many good things during his time with the City of Clearwater. Those included increasing neighborhood relations, improving sidewalks and putting the expansive Imagine Clearwater development “on a great path.”

Hibbard also noted that he would prefer not to spend six of his last 14 months in office dealing with these issues. The mayor has previously announced he will not seek reelection in 2024.

“I really think this is about fit,” he added. “And I don’t think Mr. Jennings is a good fit.”

Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard said he prefers to “praise in public and criticize in private.”

Three weeks after the city council began the termination process at a Dec. 15 meeting, they voted along the same lines, 3-2, to finalize the matter. Council members also revealed details that led up to Jennings’ dismissal.

Planning issues arose in April, explained Hibbard, and he began keeping a journal of Jennings’ missteps. Hibbard relayed his belief that you should “praise in public and criticize in private,” which is why constituents remained unaware of the situation.

The city’s strategic planning meetings included an update on American Rescue Plan Act funding. Hours before the first meeting, Jennings asked Hibbard if the mayor would lead the session.

“I said, ‘I beg your pardon? No one has asked me to facilitate that,” said Hibbard. “Fortunately, our public communications director and I pulled something together … but it was makeshift.”

In addition, he realized later that night that the ARPA information was different from what he saw during meetings with Jennings. “That was certainly an issue,” added Hibbard.

He also expressed his particular concern over Jennings spending $2.1 million on a sound system for Imagine Clearwater’s new amphitheater without approval. Hibbard said everyone bidding on the project told the mayor not to purchase the equipment, and completing such a significant expenditure is beyond any staff member’s purview.

“I asked him specifically, ‘how is that approved,” relayed Hibbard. “He couldn’t give me an answer.”

He then noted that some residents expressed concerns about city officials spending money on the search for a new city manager and Jennings’ 20-week severance pay. Hibbard said those costs are not even 10% of $2.1 million. “And I still don’t have an answer.”

Former Clearwater City Manager Jon Jennings. File photo.

Councilmembers Kathleen Beckman and Lina Teixeira echoed most of Hibbard’s qualms, specifically regarding a lack of communication and incomplete answers. However, Jennings did have two supporters on the dais.

Councilmember Mark Bunker noted he had some issues with the city manager but thought “it was a perfectly acceptable year.” Councilmember David Albritton acknowledged challenges but credited Jennings for working closely with city employees and creating Clearwater’s first public works department.

Albritton also offered an excuse for some of Jennings’ erratic behavior – Covid-induced brain fog. While Albritton noted that he recovered from Covid in a week, he said Jennings dealt with the effects from January 2022 until last fall.

“We could see he wasn’t all there,” said Albritton. “He did do some of these things, but I think maybe that fog contributed to some of his issues …”

Jennings’ dismissal made headlines far away from Tampa Bay. He served in the same capacity for the City of Portland, Maine, and several publications across that region carried the news.

The Bangor Daily News reported that Jennings left Portland in Nov. 2021 “amid a shakeup in city politics and criticism from a newly elected commissioner.” The publication also noted his clashes with former Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling.

Several people advocated for Jennings in person at Thursday’s meeting or through emails, and he will now receive 20 weeks of severance pay. The council unanimously voted for Assistant City Manager Jennifer Poirrier to assume the role of interim city manager as Clearwater officials embark on another national search for a permanent replacement.