Rickelle Williams stepped into the role of Fort Lauderdale city manager last year saying she wanted to stay awhile.

But Williams, a former assistant city manager in Miami Beach, is making her exit after a rocky 15-month tenure.

Commissioners approved a mutual separation agreement on Thursday night that allows Williams to resign from her $365,000-a-year post with 20 weeks of severance pay.

The commission appointed Deputy City Manager Chris Cooper to serve as acting city manager.

Williams, the first Black woman hired as top boss to run Fort Lauderdale City Hall, was the city’s fifth city manager in just seven years.

Before the vote approving the separation agreement, Williams thanked each member of the commission. She also thanked the residents who offered their support and the staff who embraced her leadership.

“It has been a true pleasure and privilege,” she said.

Williams came under fire in May when she got critical feedback from three of her commission bosses during an awkward yet public job performance review that sparked an outcry from some of her supporters.

Mayor Dean Trantalis faulted Williams for what he called several missteps, from not sharing key information to treating some subordinates with a dismissive attitude — including the police and fire chiefs.

Commissioner John Herbst urged Williams to stop creating new staff positions when the city is potentially facing a string of tight budget years.

“We have some very expensive positions that you’ve created that never existed before,” he said at the time. “You are building your executive staff with people who make $250,000 a year. And we can’t afford that.”

Williams kept her job that night but was denied a standard 3% merit raise.

Commissioner Pamela Beasley-Pittman and Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen defended Williams that night in May and shared words of praise Thursday night.

“You stood as a person who represented this city with 100% of your heart,” Beasley-Pittman told Williams. “I want to thank you for that. I am grateful for your service to our city. I wish you well. The next city that picks you up, bravo.”

Sorensen thanked Williams for doing her job with grit, determination and integrity.

“City manager, this is a sad day for the city of Fort Lauderdale,” he told her. “You have acted with integrity. You have acted with excellence. We as a city commission have not supported you as we should have. I thank you for all you’ve done and wish you all the best.”

Commissioner Steve Glassman said he wanted to clear up any rumors that Williams was being fired.

Glassman shared that he got a call from Williams on Tuesday night saying she was ready to step down as city manager.

“I wish you the best,” Glassman told Williams. “This is not an easy job. I do want to thank you for your service.”

Herbst also thanked her, telling her she had taken on one of the toughest jobs at City Hall.

Trantalis also shared his gratitude.

“You’ve set an example for a lot of people in the city — and we thank you for that,” he said. “You’ve helped move the city forward.”

Five residents who signed up to speak at Thursday night’s meeting sang Williams’ praises.

One woman held back tears as she praised Williams.

“I want to thank you for being here in Fort Lauderdale and helping guide us through,” she said. “You are really special. We’re going to miss you.”

Resident Tina DiMarco urged Williams to reconsider her decision to leave.

“I do not accept your resignation,” she told Williams. “Not because you owe us more. You’ve given plenty. I won’t pretend the last few months have not been ugly. They have. True leaders aren’t made in the easy stretches. They’re forged in exactly the kind of storm you’ve been standing in. I hope this isn’t the end. Thank you.”

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan