CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard delivered the shocking announcement during a budget workshop Monday morning.
He said he was not the right leader for the city council anymore and would no longer be mayor.
Hibbard’s main issue is the city’s plan to spend $90 million on a new city hall and municipal services building.
“I’m concerned where the city is going because this is simple math and we are not doing very well on the test.”
This was the last year of Hibbard’s four-year term, and he had already announced he wasn’t going to run again.
But his announcement seemed to leave his fellow council members in disbelief.
“He must have thought that he wasn’t steering the city in the right direction with the other four council members. But I really don’t know what to say about that other then we are all shocked," said councilmember David Allbritton.
City leaders say they will work with their attorney on how to move forward with naming a replacement.
But they are also waiting for Hibbard’s official confirmation that when he took his bag and walked out, he’s not coming back.
“The work the city will continue. We are in a great spot. We have a lot of wonderful things going on and I am excited to be a part of it. And will do what I can to make things happen," said councilmember Kathleen Beckman.
“We can get through this. I just wanted to let staff and the city employees know that we will get through this. There’s still a firm commitment from the other four council members that will steer this city in the right direction," said Allbritton.
Hibbard is a financial advisor in the city.
He wished everyone the best before leaving.
"It's been more and more obvious to me that as much as I love the city, as much as I want to stick around for some things that are going to occur over the next couple months, I simply am not the right person to be here anymore," Hibbard said.
Hibbard recommended appointing Hoyt Hamilton for the interim because "he knows the city." He added that the interim mayor needed to be someone who didn't want the job.
You can watch the full meeting below. Hibbard resigned at the 8:51 mark.
