Mexico Beach City Council fires City Manager Chris Hubbard for personal social media post

Nathan Cobb, Panama City News Herald
·2 min read
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MEXICO BEACH — City Manager Chris Hubbard was fired for making a personal Facebook post that used a disparaging term for people with intellectual disabilities.

The City Council approved his termination during a special meeting on Tuesday. Hubbard was hired in August 2023 out of a pool of more than a dozen applicants. He also previously held the same role for the city from October 2006 to April 2014.

Chris Hubbard, the city manager of Mexico Beach, was fired on Tuesday for a personal social media post that used a disparaging term for people with developmental disabilities.
Chris Hubbard, the city manager of Mexico Beach, was fired on Tuesday for a personal social media post that used a disparaging term for people with developmental disabilities.

"I have thought a lot about this, and I appreciate all the input I got," Councilman Tim Linderman said. "I got a couple dozen emails, phone calls (and) texts with opinions and advice. ... I find this very difficult. However, I think whatever we do, it has to be in the best interest of the city. ... I found (the post) very insulting."

"When it first came out, the post honestly was very appalling, I will say, and it still is," Councilman Jason Adams said. "It's just put us in a real bad situation."

During the meeting, Hubbard told residents he was sorry for "any pain or personal insult" caused by his post. He also noted his Facebook page is private, so content he shares is only meant for those with whom he is friends.

According to Hubbard, he has a younger brother with autism, and it was not his intent for the post to be offensive or insensitive to those with intellectual disabilities.

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"Obviously, I have to address the elephant in the room, which is a meme that I posted on my private, personal Facebook page," Hubbard said.

"I take full responsibility for my actions, but when I posted that meme on my private Facebook page, it was after reading multiple comments from people who didn't just criticize the (city's) budget, but made recommendations that would violate Florida law, break the bond covenants on our debt and potentially require the city to immediately pay the remaining balance. (They also) accused me of secretly attempting to benefit myself financially through some of the items in the budget.

"To me, as someone who loves Mexico Beach and put my life on hold in Kentucky so I could come back here and try to help out, those things indeed seem silly and foolish to me."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Mexico Beach City Council fires City Manager Chris Hubbard