PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla — It was the moment that shocked so many in Clearwater last week.
“This is probably one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in entire my life," said Mayor Frank Hibbard.
Hibbard resigned as mayor, saying he doesn’t like the direction the city is headed, most notably talk of spending $90 million on a new city hall and municipal building.
“This is simple math and we aren’t doing very well on the test," he said in a meeting.
Monday, the City Council voted to bring back a familiar face to take over as mayor on an interim basis until March of next year, former two-term Mayor Brian Aungst Sr.
“I think he’ll do a fine job up here. I look forward to working with him, all of us collaboratively," said Councilmember Kathleen Beckman.
The council also agreed that Aungst should not be allowed to run for mayor when his interim term is done.
“You always want things to go your way but you also realize that the beauty of our system of government is that you don’t get your way all the time. We are not a king. We are not a dictator," said former Clearwater George Cretekos.
The City of Clearwater has had its share of instability lately, including three different city managers, an investigation into the recycling program, and now this.
“I think Clearwater is still a great place to call home. It’s a leader in the Tampa Bay Area for the beaches, tourism. It has a high quality of life. There’s some hiccups but that happens," said Cretekos.
Frank Hibbard told ABC Action News' Erik Waxler that he's been reflecting on his sudden resignation, but not second-guessing his decision.
He said he still believes the new city hall and municipal building would be a "tremendous waste of money" and hopes his move is drawing attention to how the city is spending its money.
