By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
FORT PIERCE - At a special meeting of the Fort Pierce City Commission on Sept. 24, it unanimously approved a contract for newly hired city manager Robert Bradshaw, the current city manager of Port Arkansas, Texas.
Mr. Bradshaw was elected in a 3-2 split vote on Sept. 4.
After negotiations, the final two-year contract reached between Mr. Bradshaw and the city comes with a starting salary of $128,000 a year. The advertised salary range was between $125,000 and $150,000.
There were two changes made to the original contract offered to Mr. Bradshaw, according to Robert Schwerer, Fort Pierce city attorney.
"The last draft had a six-month mandatory review and annual review," he said. "Commission wanted a specific date. The first review will occur in May, then annually in May."
The other change was that his raises would be based on his annual review, and not on when raises are given to city employees.
In addition, Mr. Bradshaw will receive a $350 monthly car allowance and $6,500 to cover moving expenses from Texas to Florida.
The contract also specifically states Mr. Bradshaw would receive 90 days of severance pay if he was to leave the position, and also be compensated for all accrued sick and vacation time.
If Mr. Bradshaw is terminated from his position, he will not be able to collect any severance pay from the city.
By comparison, former city manager David Recor received nine months of severance pay when he resigned in May. Including his accrued sick and vacation leave, the city paid Mr. Recor approximately $150,000.
Mr. Bradshaw will take his seat as Fort Pierce's new city manager on Nov. 1.