Surprise move to fire Atlantic Beach city manager fails after debate

A move by Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford to immediately fire the city manager failed Monday night when he couldn t gain support for the termination from the City Commission. That means Kevin Hogencamp, Atlantic Beach’s sixth city manager in the past six years, apparently stays on the job in the 13-square-mile Beaches city until his just-announced retirement in August. Hogencamp was assistant city manager in January, when former City Manager Bill Killingsworth voluntarily stepped down during a special meeting. In June, the Commission voted 4-1 to give Hogencamp the permanent top job. But during Monday s meeting at Atlantic Beach City Hall, Ford recommended immediate termination of Hogencamp without cause, the surprise proposal not part of the five-page agenda. Ford s proposal came as the commission prepared to discuss hiring a new assistant city manager. Then the mayor said Hogencamp s plan to retire in August 2027 would come as the city navigates more issues the next b