Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information from the resignation letter, which is available in full at the end of this article.
Alachua City Manager Mike DaRoza resigned from his position in a letter dated Monday. His final day is June 8.
Mainstreet received a copy of the resignation letter, which was addressed to Alachua Mayor Walter Welch and the Alachua City Commission, on Thursday.
DaRoza, who has worked for the City of Alachua since 2017 and has served as the city manager since 2022, did not give a reason for leaving.
He wrote the decision was difficult to make and that he has appreciated the opportunity to work for Alachua over the past eight years and his appreciation was difficult to put into words.
DaRoza wrote he was “humbled and grateful” for the experiences and skills he gained during his time with the city.
He said in the letter he worked hard to “improve the efficiency and effectiveness of city government” and to make sure its limited resources were used in the best way “to serve the people of the Good Life Community.”
He wrote he’s confident that Alachua is in good hands because of the remaining staff, who he said are the city’s greatest asset.
“I have been fortunate to build strong relationships with many of them,” DaRoza wrote. “I cannot express how much it has been my immense honor and privilege to work with and serve them all.”
DaRoza wrote he’d be committed to ensuring a smooth transition during the next two weeks and will assist in any way possible to hand over his duties
DaRoza’s three-year contract as city manager was set to expire this year.
Former Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper said on Wednesday he didn’t know DaRoza’s reason for resigning.
“I guess it’s his time to seek another avenue,” Coerper said. “I wish him the best.”
Alachua City Commissioner Jacob Fletcher said he wasn’t expecting DaRoza’s resignation. He said a city employee called him Tuesday to let him know the city manager left his resignation letter in the commissioners’ offices.
City of Alachua spokesman Brent Lanier told Mainstreet he will reach out to the city commission and see if they would like to release a statement on DaRoza’s resignation.
DaRoza’s resignation comes just over one week after the Alachua City Commission voted to investigate the resignations of three of its four city planners in February, and before the commission votes formally to proceed with an investigation.
One of the former city planners went public with his view that DaRoza was heavily influenced by his predecessor, former City Manager Adam Boukari.
We pray one of many to come
Something is happening in this county overall that needs to be look at. Alachua and Gainesville lost important people all of the sudden and the leaders seem very quite about it. Maybe the state needs to look at things in this county.
The picture is perfect. He’s pulling the fire alarm handle behind him on his way out. Seems like he’s too scared to finish out his contract because of what could come out now the investigation into the planning department is moving forward. True colors, Mike great job.
Daroza’s contract expires July 25, 2025. The commission can simply not renew it and he is gone. If the city fires him, he gets 20 week severance pay, or about $60,000. If he quits, he gets nothing. So I have to ask, why did he give up $24,000 (two months) of ez salary to leave early?
One reason: last meeting the commission voted to investigate the Tabor letter. It will take a few weeks to find and hire an investigator and begin interviews. If Daroza was still on the payroll, he could be required to talk to the investigator by his employer, the commission. A private citizen cannot be forced to talk. It is worth it to him to give up $24,000 to NOT talk to the investigator. Wow. I must say he sure listens to his handlers and will not talk. But just imagine the stuff he knows. . .
So DuhRoza thinks he can resign 6 weeks before his contract is up and avoid any further investigation into what was going on. That’s good ol’ boy thinking right there. I guarantee these issues extend well beyond DuhRoza. As the saying goes, a fish rots from the head down. There certainly were others inside the city enabling him and supporting him. Perhaps we should look into those who have spoken in support of him at Commission meetings?
The Tabor letter mentions Daroza and assistant city manager Rodolfo Valladares by name as part of “the problem” in city hall. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, thus the upcoming investigation. ACM Rodolfo Valladares CANNOT be made interim city manager, because someone being investigated CANNOT oversee the investigation. A neutral interim city manager must be appointed while a national search is conducted, and experienced outside manager is found. No more inhouse promotions. Twenty years of doing that has resulted in the mess that is city hall. Loyal lackies who bow to out of town quick buck developers are not friends of the 9500 citizens of Alachua who are not developers. They just pay.
Fun little side bet for our amusement.
Friday is the grand opening of the new fire station in Alachua. All the press and local pompous plenipotentiaries are scheduled to be there and speak, including Alachua City Manager Mike Deroza.
Questions for the public: Will he show? Will he speak? Place your bets. 🙂