FORT PIERCE – Fort Pierce City Manager Richard Chess received unanimous endorsements Monday during his first, six-month job performance review, including from the only city commissioner who voted against his hiring and his internal competitor for the job.

“In hindsight, I was wrong,” declared Commissioner Michael Broderick. “It was not about the quality of the man, by any means. A massive amount of change was required to address our bottomless pit of problems.

“I believe we have the man in the job at the time we need him.”

City Clerk Linda Cox, who came within one commission vote of having the job, also praised Chess, saying, “We make a great team.”

“I’m really happy he’s here,” Cox said Monday night.

Chess, who came to Fort Pierce in April from his position as assistant general manager of finance for Broward County Transportation, was hired in a competitive process following the 2024 arrest of former city manager Nicholas Mimms on charges of bid tampering and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.

Chess’ contract provided for a 5 percent pay increase after six months, following a positive job performance review by commissioners. That will bump his annual salary to $210,000, still below what Chess was earning at his former job.

Mayor Linda Hudson suggested Monday that Chess may be in the market for an additional deputy manager to oversee areas including city purchasing and code enforcement, both issues that have been in the spotlight recently. The city has been without its second deputy city manager since a retirement earlier this year.

“I’m impressed with the knowledge you’ve gained and that you’re a staff champion, but not a pushover,” Hudson said. “…You’ve been thrown right into the deep end and, so far, I’m very pleased.”

Commissioner Arnold Gaines said Chess has ushered a “change in atmosphere at city hall” and praised him for his willingness to “attack and fix problems.”

“He’s going to do what’s right, what’s best for the entire city,” said Gaines. “Take off both gloves and get down to what we hired you to do so we can get the city back. Whatever you see is wrong, make it right.”

Commissioner Curtis Johnson Jr. concurred, saying he’s relying on Chess to “make the tough decisions here” and praising the city manager for his “great start.”

Among Chess’ priorities now is the selection of a new police chief and “getting out there in the community more.”