Fort Pierce City Commission Selects Richard Chess as New City Manager

Fort Pierce City Commission made a significant decision last night as they selected Richard Chess to be the next city manager in a 3-2 vote during a special meeting. This decision comes after the tumultuous departure of former city manager Nick Mimms, who was arrested and fired for bid tampering last year. Chess, currently serving as Broward County’s assistant general manager of transportation and finance, received the majority of support from Commissioners Curtis Johnson and Arnold Gaines.

The initial vote saw a split among commissioners, with Mayor Linda Hudson and Commissioner Michael Broderick supporting acting City Manager Linda Cox. However, Commissioner James Taylor ultimately switched his support from Derek Scrapchansky to Chess in the second round of voting. The commissioners emphasized the need to bring in an outsider to lead the city and bring in fresh perspectives.

In addition to selecting Chess as the new city manager, commissioners also unanimously voted to appoint Deputy City Manager DeVoshay Johnson as the interim city manager until Chess assumes his new role. The next city council meeting is scheduled for March 3, where further decisions and plans for the city’s future will be discussed.

This decision marks a new chapter for Fort Pierce as they aim to move past the challenges of the past and work towards a brighter future under new leadership. Stay updated with the latest news and developments by downloading the WPBF 25 News app.