Clearwater mayor resigns unexpectedly at meeting, councilmembers ‘shell-shocked’

CLEARWATER, Fla. (FLV) – Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard suddenly resigned and walked out of a work session, leaving councilmembers speechless and shocked.

Hibbard expressed concern for where the city is going, following a budget discussion where Hibbard was reportedly the only councilmember to stand against spending $90 million on building a new City Hall.

That project reportedly has a $60 million deficit.

“I’m not a quitter, but I’m not the right leader for this council anymore and I’m concerned where the city is going,” he said. “Because this is simple math and we’re not doing very well on the test.”

During the meeting, Hibbard said he is “not the right leader for this council,” noting that he cannot be mayor due to his “health and other things.”

“I know this is shocking, but just I’m the wrong guy right now. And I just called my wife, she’s shocked. And don’t ever quit anything but it’s been more and more obvious to me that as much as I love the city and as much as I want to stick around for some of the things that are going to occur over the next couple of months, I simply am not the right person be here,” Hibbard said.

Hibbard suggested former city councilmember Hoyt Hamilton as the replacement for the time being.

“I would highly recommend you appoint Hoyt for the interim. At least he knows the city. You’re going to have to appoint somebody who doesn’t want to be the next mayor,” Hibbard told council members.

Councilmembers were visibly shocked by the announcement.

Councilmember Kathleen Beckham said she was just as surprised as anyone.

“A little surprised, saddened, shell-shocked, Councilmember Bunker said,” Beckham said. “You know people make significant decisions about their life or work every single day. And a lot of factors weigh in on that. I have no idea why Mayor Hibbard chose to resign today.”

Beckham, while surprised, acknowledged that “there’s work to be done today.”

“Staff has put an incredible amount of time and effort in preparation for this meeting. And you are all asking for direction about our priorities,” Beckham said. “And so that’s what we’re here to do, is to do our job and give that direction to you. So we will do our best to do that today with our remaining time.”

Hibbard previously announced in 2022 that he would not seek reelection when his term ended in 2024.