North Port City Manager To Step Down: Report

NORTH PORT, FL — North Port City Manager Peter Lear will step down after an investigation documented his affair with a subordinate, the Herald-Tribune reported. Lear suggested his separation from the city “to promote healing.”

The North Port City Commission voted to part ways with Lear just after 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, reports said. The commission was divided on which actions to take, but eventually agreed on a separation agreement with the outgoing city manager.

Lear will receive a $140,000 in severance and accrued and unused personal and sick leave. He’ll also receive four months of health insurance coverage.

He’ll remain on the job until Nov. 13. After this, he’ll be placed on administrative leave until Nov. 27, his last day of work, reports said.

Lear was named city manager in July 2017. Prior to this, he served as North Port’s finance director.

Julie Bellia was appointed acting city manager. She most recently served as the city’s public works director.