A Florida former mayor resigned abruptly earlier this week as a result of he disagreed with the “reckless” manner the town council needed to spend tax {dollars}, he advised Fox Information.
“We have had little or no debt, however the spreadsheets that we have been this previous Monday confirmed quite a few initiatives and the funding shortfall was 1 / 4 of a billion {dollars},” former Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard stated. “Native authorities and authorities usually must be very cautious with their sources and likewise be extra inventive in the best way we resolve issues.”
Hibbard, who as mayor voted like a councilmember, was the lone metropolis council voice who opposed developing a $90 million metropolis corridor and municipal constructing. Clearwater, already going through 1 / 4 billion greenback shortfall for different initiatives, needs to be extra cautious with its sources, Hibbard stated.
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“I am involved the place the town goes as a result of that is basic math and we’re not doing very properly on the check,” Hibbard stated at a funds assembly Monday. “In good conscience for my household, for my very own well being and different issues, I can not stay the mayor.”
The preliminary price ticket on the brand new metropolis corridor and municipal constructing was $40 million however that finally greater than doubled, Hibbard stated. With typical building value overruns, he estimated the worth might attain $100 million.
Hibbard, who works full-time as a monetary advisor and wealth supervisor, served as mayor from 2005 to 2012 and was re-elected to a different four-year time period in 2020. He had already introduced that he wouldn’t search re-election in 2024.
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“I don’t need anyone freaking out proper now about this,” council member David Allbritton stated after Hibbard’s resignation. “We’ve bought sufficient folks up right here to make the choices and preserve every part on monitor, and that’s what we plan to do immediately.”
Kathleen Beckman, one other Clearwater councilmember, advised Fox Information the Monday assembly “was merely to offer path to employees about funds priorities” and never a proper vote on allocating funds.
Nonetheless, Hibbard stated the brand new building undertaking just isn’t obligatory.
“It is a matter of needs and desires, and this new metropolis corridor just isn’t a necessity. It is merely a need,” Hibbard stated. “Constructing a brand new facility I feel is reckless.”
The Clearwater Metropolis Council has 30 days to nominate a brand new mayor with a majority vote, in response to the town constitution.
To observe the total interview with Hibbard, click on right here.
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