PALM BAY, Fla. — The City of Palm Bay terminated Assistant Fire Chief Brandon McKee effective immediately on August 20, 2026, according to a termination letter signed by City Manager Matthew Morton.
The one-page letter identifies McKee as an at-will employee and says the city determined that ending his employment was in its “best interest.” It provides no allegation of misconduct, disciplinary finding or other specific reason for the decision.
The letter says the city manager’s decision is final and binding. McKee was directed to arrange with Deputy Fire Chief Nathan Thomas to return his city vehicle, phone, radios, identification card, uniforms, badges, bunker gear, keys and other city-issued property before the release of his final paycheck on Friday, August 28.
A career of nearly 19 years
Palm Bay’s former command-staff biography said McKee began serving the city on May 13, 2007. He rose from firefighter/EMT through the department’s ranks and was promoted to assistant fire chief on May 6, 2024.
The city biography also described McKee as a paramedic who had served as a SWAT medic and auxiliary police officer with the Palm Bay Police Department, as well as a flight paramedic with Health First’s First Flight helicopter transport program. Palm Bay’s current command-staff page no longer lists him.
Comments question the paycheck language
The Facebook discussion did not establish why McKee was terminated. Several commenters instead focused on the language connecting his final paycheck to the return of city property.
“Whoever drafted that letter should know that they cannot withhold his check until city items are returned.”
Kristin Rosecrants, Facebook comment
“Isn’t there some kind of rule in FLSA that you can’t hold a paycheck until equipment is returned?”
Glenda Stephenson, Facebook comment
Another commenter, Mark Moesly, summarized his reaction as: “Palm Bay being Palm Bay.”
Those comments are public reaction, not legal findings. The U.S. Department of Labor says federal law does not require an immediate final paycheck, although wages are generally due by the regular payday. Federal rules also restrict deductions for employer-required uniforms and similar business items when deductions would reduce required minimum-wage or overtime compensation. The letter schedules McKee’s final paycheck for August 28.
Reason remains undisclosed
A Palm Bay spokesperson told WFTV that the city had no additional information to provide about the reason for the termination. Nothing in the city’s letter identifies the conduct or circumstances that led to Morton’s decision.
Until supporting records are released, any claim about the reason would be speculation. JM Audits will update this report if the city produces additional records or issues a detailed explanation.
View Termination Letter
Sources
- The Space Coast Rocket post and public discussion
- City of Palm Bay Fire Rescue command staff
- Official Palm Bay Fire Rescue promotion photograph
- U.S. Department of Labor wage-deduction guidance
Have records or firsthand information about this decision? Contact JM Audits. Please include documents or other information that can be independently verified.