UPDATE:
Delray Beach commissioners fired city manager Mark Lauzier over allegations that he skirted around city rules for hiring and paying members of his staff.
"This is something we cannot stand for there is a broken trust from this point forward as far as I’m concerned,” said Mayor Shelly Petrolia.
"I’m a man of integrity,” Mark Lauzier told the commissioners in his defense.
In a meeting that lasted over two hours, the city’s auditor laid out allegations against Lauzier that accused him of creating positions, and bypassing the city’s procedures for screening job candidates, especially in the hiring of an assistant city manager.
Lauzier insisted his actions were an effort to build a team to help the city.
“I have violated no code of ethics i am offended at being called incompetent,” Lauzier said.
City commissioners appointed Fire Chief Neil DeJesus acting interim city manager.
EARLIER STORY:
Delray Beach City Commissioners have set a special meeting on Friday afternoon to discuss city manager Mark Lauzier.
Commissioner Ryan Boylston says it has to do with concerns over hiring procedures.
“Last week I had a meeting with our auditor, and some things were brought to light ... questions I had for our city manager,” Boylston said.
Boylston said Lauzier talked with him about the situation, and now he wants to share those answers with commissioners.
Boylston said during the meeting, commissioners will also have the authority to discipline or even terminate the city manager, but he declined to speculate what commissioners will do.
