New Clearwater Mayor To Be Sworn In Tuesday; Former Mayor Speaks Out

CLEARWATER, FL — Newly appointed Clearwater Mayor Brian J. Aungst Sr. will be sworn into office at a special city council meeting Tuesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N. Osceola Ave.

Aungst Sr. served as Clearwater mayor for two terms, from 1999 to 2005. During his time in office, he oversaw the construction of $75 million in capital improvements in the city including the construction of the spring training stadium for the Philadelphia Phillies, now known as BayCare Ball Park, as well as construction of the city's main library where the city council now meets.

The city council chose Aungst Sr. to replace Mayor Frank Hibbard who abruptly resigned as mayor on March 20 during a discussion of the city's strategic plan, which included a discussion on building a new city hall at a cost of $90,000, money the city currently doesn't have.

Hibbard's term in office would have ended in 2024.

In a letter to the community, Hibbard explained the reason behind his surprising resignation.

"I came to the conclusion on March 20 that I was no longer the right person to lead this city council because we differ fundamentally on how to spend money and on what the city’s priorities should be moving forward," Hibbard said. "I believe the greatest expenditures of your tax dollars should go to public safety, followed by projects that improve quality of life. That is the reason I have supported our police and fire departments. It is also the reason I supported the re-imagining of Coachman Park, a place that will create memories for generations to come."

He said he doesn't see the need to build a new $90 million city hall to serve as headquarters for the city council and to consolidate the city departments located in the 26-year-old municipal services building.

"Who replaces their home after only 26 years when most people have not even finished paying it off?" he asked. "Corporations don’t need as much office space as more of their employees work from home, a shift that is likely here to stay. Government, too, has to be more creative — sometimes with diminishing resources. Spend smart, spend less and consider reducing the millage rate to make the city more affordable."

Shortly into the discussion on capital project priorities during the March 20 work session, Hibbard said he could tell he was in the minority.

"I like the idea of having everything under one building and I think a city this size warrants that (a city hall)," said council member Lina Teixeira,

"The council's been talking about a new city hall for over two decades, and we always put it off because there are other things that crop up that are better," council member David Allbritton said. "Here we are now in an office building, and we've been in that for over five years. I'm on board with doing it. Clearwater deserves it, I think. And I think putting it in one building instead of spread all over the place is just a good operating procedure."

Related:

• Council Appoints Former Mayor Brian Aungst Sr. To Interim Post
• Clearwater Mayor Abruptly Resigns During Council Work Session
• Following Mayor's Resignation, City Council To Discuss Filling Seat

Hibbard contended that Clearwater's Main Library, where the council currently meets, would serve well as a city hall while still providing library services.

"I have always believed that our main library of 90,000 square feet is the proper place for city hall," Hibbard said. "We currently hold meetings there. This building was conceived in 2000. Since then, libraries have changed dramatically with much of the information that was once largely found only in libraries now residing on our cellphones that fit in the palm of our hands. Clearwater has five libraries; Largo has one.

Hibbard added that Clearwater spends double the money per capita on libraries than St. Petersburg and Tampa.

"We have only 1,256 less square feet of library space than St. Petersburg, while serving a population 56 percent smaller," he said. "Converting 30,000 square feet of library space to accommodate city hall would serve our needs while saving upwards of $80 million. Unfortunately, four council members were unwilling to even allow an architect to explore the possibility and cost savings."

He reminded residents that the decision is ultimately up to them.

"Clearwater is still a wonderful place to live and has always been fiscally responsible, but that can easily change," he said. "On top of our organizational chart sits you, the city’s residents. As boss, it is time for you to express the desire for your council to be responsible with your money."

Aungst Sr. has yet to publicly state his thoughts on building a new city hall.

Hibbard served on the Clearwater City Council for three terms from 2002-2012, two as mayor. He was elected mayor again in 2020.

The swearing-in ceremony for Aungst Sr. can be viewed live on the city's YouTube channel, on TV Spectrum Channel 638, Frontier Channel 30 and WOW! Channel 15.