DELTONA, Fla. - The City of Deltona is without both its City Manager and Deputy City Manager following the pair's separate resignations this past week. Deputy City Manager Rick Karl resigned on August 10th, and City Manager Jim Chisholm followed this past Tuesday, August 15th.
Chisholm was brought on as an interim City Manager back in October, with the Deltona City Commission approving a one-year contract extension for his services in February. Still, the letter of resignation he submitted to Mayor Santiago Avila Jr, the commission, and city staff, said he had no intentions of an extended tenure as City Manager.
"I never intended to continue employment as City Manager for extended period of time," the letter read. "I have enjoyed working with the staff and Commission and wish the city success as you move forward as a community. It will take a commitment to achieve success by working together and putting aside your politics."
Mayor Avila announced Chisholm's resignation on Facebook, and left his former colleague with a less-than-stellar review. "I was concerned the Commission was not receiving previously promised information in a timely manner," Avila said. "As well as direction that was being given was not being executed."
Karl, meanwhile, resigned for personal reasons last week. A special City Commission was already slated to be held on Thursday at 6:00 pm to discuss the recruitment of a permanent City Manager after City Commissioner Jody Lee Storozuk raised concerns about both officials' commitment to Deltona last week. That meeting will now necessitate a plan for appointing a new interim City Manager and moving forward with finding a permanent candidate.
