RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. -- Jonathan Evans told NewsChannel 5 on Thursday he is going to accept the final city manager contract by Riviera Beach and return to the position he was fired from in 2017.
“I am grateful and appreciative of the support I have received since that night, and I look forward to working with the City Council in fulfilling their mission to serve the citizens of Riviera Beach,” Evans said in a statement.
On Sept. 20, 2017 Evans was fired “for cause” but without explanation by three city council members. Evans had only been working at Riviera Beach for six months and was popular in the community.
His firing pushed the city into turmoil and led to a clean sweep in the following elections. The three city council members who voted to fire Evans were ousted.
The new board immediately started the process of starting contract negotiations again.
Council voted 3-2 to approve the final city manager contract on Wednesday.
“To return, in light of all things that have occurred since that evening of Sept. 20, 2017, it is humbling to be offered a second chance,” Evans said in a statement.
Evans, who currently is the city manager in Madeira Beach, said his focus for the next 60 days will be serving the residents of that city before returning to Riviera Beach.