Replace interim city manager before hiring a permanent one? It's worth considering, 2 LWB electeds say

But the idea, broached by Commissioner Anthony Segrich, may not win support from a commission majority

Lake Worth Beach Public Works Director Jamie Brown has served as interim city manager since January 2024. (LINKEDIN)

AS LAKE WORTH BEACH continues searching for a full-time city manager, city commissioners next month will consider sending Interim City Manager Jamie Brown back to his main job as Public Works director and finding someone else to serve as acting manager.

The idea may not end up getting the support of a commission majority, but at least two commissioners said it’s worth considering.

“We are setting policy direction and it’s just not getting implemented,’’ Commissioner Anthony Segrich said at a pre-agenda workshop April 17, repeating an idea he broached 10 days earlier at a City Commission meeting.

“It’s not a decision that I came to lightly,’’ he added. “I struggled with this for a while.’’

He admitted the timing isn’t ideal. The city hired a search firm earlier this year to find a permanent city manager, with a goal of hiring someone this summer. Commissioners will offer a salary range of $285,000 to $345,000, which would make Lake Worth Beach’s next city manager among the highest paid in Palm Beach County, as first reported earlier this month by the Lake Worth Beach Independent.

While Segrich said he understands it could be just a few more months or so before the full-time manager starts work, he said he has been “dissatisfied” with Brown’s performance and thinks the city would be better served if someone else served as the interim.

“I don’t know how long the search for the (full-time) city manager is going to take,’’ he said. “Might be three months, might be four, hopefully not six, but we still need to get stuff done between now and then.’’

He said the Public Works department needs more focus from Brown. And he offered praise for Assistant City Manager Troy Perry.

Vice Mayor Mimi May said she would be open to considering Segrich’s proposal.

“I don’t necessarily disagree with Mr. Segrich. I’d like to know exactly what he is suggesting,’’ she said April 17. “I would be open to a transition plan that would be different than what we have on the books. I think Mr Perry could be the interim city manager.’’

But Mayor Betty Resch questioned whether replacing Brown “would accomplish much.’’ She praised Perry, but added: “Taking that acting city manager out of the equation at this point, I don’t know that that would bring anything forward, but that’s something we’ll vote on, I guess.’’

Commissioners Saraha Malega and Chris McVoy did not attend the April 17 work session when the city administration’s top position was discussed. In the past, they each have expressed praise and support for Brown.

Commissioners were told in the work session that they will hold at least two special meetings in May, one on the city manager, the other on potential business-friendly changes to code compliance. Specific dates have not been chosen yet.

Segrich said the code compliance concerns, a lingering source of frustration for business owners and residents, are just one example of his issues with Brown.

“I understand we finally got the ball rolling on the code enforcement policy direction. We set that direction six or eight months ago and we’re just now having the meeting,’’ said Segrich, elected in March 2025 to his first term.

Resch asked Segrich to provide specific examples at the May city manager meeting of how the city could “change for the better if Mr. Brown stepped down. I guess I would listen to that. I’m not saying no. I just don’t know how the frustration would be better if we had one less person at the helm.’’

Segrich has had prior issues with Brown, who last year expressed an interest in the full-time job. But Segrich took issue with Brown’s stance that he would not interview for the full-time job, since he already has been working at the job since he replaced the last full-time city manager, Carmen Davis.

Sensing that he didn’t have the full support of the commission, Brown in October withdrew his name from consideration.

Asked to comment on Segrich’s proposal, Brown told the Lake Worth Beach Independent in an email that he is proud of the work he has done as interim.

“In the past two years, we’ve brought more things forward than were brought forward in the previous four. I’d say that’s pretty good for one in a temporary position, and I fulfilled my goal of not just being a ‘placeholder’ in between permanent’’ city managers,’’ Brown said.

“I serve at the pleasure of the commission,’’ he said, “so whenever they decide my temporary role is over I’ll be returning back to Public Works Director full-time. At the end of the day, I’m a public servant and love serving this city. I’ll always step up if (and) when needed.’’

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You can watch the commission’s full discussion on the city manager in the link below starting at the 3:38 mark.

Here is Brown’s full statement to the Lake Worth Beach Independent:

When the prior City Manager was relieved of her duties in December of 2023, Asst City Manager (ACM) Troy Perry had just started with the City. Since I had already served almost a year as the Interim ACM, I understood the Commission’s decision to have me step in at that point in time.

Having worked for this wonderful city for 13 years when this occurred (I’ve been here 15 now), when requested to step in, I did so with no questions asked. In the past two years we’ve brought more things forward than were brought forward in the previous four. I’d say that’s pretty good for one in a temporary position and I fulfilled my goal of not just being a “placeholder” in between permanent CM’s.

ACM Perry is excellent and I’ve been vocal about not putting in for the permanent CM job when it was posted this week. I serve at the pleasure of the Commission, so whenever they decide my temporary role is over I’ll be returning back to Public Works Director full-time.

At the end of the day, I’m a public servant and love serving this City. I’ll always step up if / when needed.