In a special called meeting held on the evening of Monday, November 3 at Lakeland City Hall, the Lakeland Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted to terminate City Manager Michael Walker. Mayor Josh Roman, Commissioner Jim Atkinson, Commissioner Michele Dial, and Commissioner Connie McCarter voted in favor of the dismissal, while Commissioner Derek Johnston cast the lone vote in opposition.
The decision followed recent concerns raised by members of the Board regarding Mr. Walker’s handling of internal personnel matters of which an employee was accused of inappropriate behavior as well as the creation of new management positions at City Hall without Board discussion or approval. Mayor Roman emphasized that the decision was not based on any illegal conduct by Mr. Walker. Instead, he noted that their visions of how the city should be managed simply do not align after recent investigations and discussions.
Mr. Roman stated he first learned of several concerns within the past month and sought to attend meetings with staff to better understand the situation. However, he said Mr. Walker declined, citing the City Charter as giving him sole authority in those discussions. Mayor Roman added that when he raised the possibility of consulting city attorneys, Mr. Walker again referenced the charter, stating that the commissioners did not need to be involved.
Mayor Roman acknowledged that he had worked well with Mr. Walker during much of the past two years, but said that recent weeks raised significant concerns. “While our city manager has broad operational authority, that does not shield him from decisions that can create liability or change the BOC’s budget approved organizational vision,” Mr. Roman told Lakeland Currents.
Commissioner Jim Atkinson, who previously served as Lakeland’s City Manager, agreed that the charter grants the City Manager the ability to consult with legal counsel. However, he noted that the Board also has the right to speak with city attorneys when clarification is needed. Atkinson described the issue as a matter of both authority and judgment: while the City Manager can make certain administrative decisions under the charter, whether those decisions should be made without BOC input is something totally different. “It’s a can you or should you discusson,” said Commisoner Atkinson.
Mr. Walker, addressing the BOC during the meeting, stated that his decisions were intended to be operational in nature although he could have handled the situation better. “All of my actions I stand behind as being in compliance with the charter,” he said. “I admit to the mistakes I made and I will submit to the will of the Board at this point.”
As part of the termination, Mr. Walker will receive a six-month severance package. City Engineer Emily Harrell will serve as interim City Manager while the Board initiates the search for a permanent replacement.
