Deltona's city manager and deputy city manager resign within days of each other

Katie Kustura and Mark Harper, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·3 min read
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Deltona City Hall, 2345 Providence Blvd.
Deltona City Hall, 2345 Providence Blvd.

Jim Chisholm, who was chosen last October as Deltona's next interim city manager and had a new 1-year contract approved in February, submitted his resignation Tuesday.

More: Deltona City Commission approves new 1-year contract with Jim Chisholm as manager

In a resignation letter to Mayor Santiago Avila Jr., city commissioners and staff, Chisholm, the former longtime manager of Daytona Beach, said he never intended his employment with Deltona to be for an "extended period of time."

"I have enjoyed working with the staff and Commission and wish the city success as you move forward as a community," Chisholm wrote. "It will take a commitment to achieve success by working together and putting aside your politics."

In February, the City Commission voted 5-2 in favor of a longer, pricier contract for Chisholm: one year at a salary of $200,000.

Chisholm couldn't immediately be reached by phone Tuesday.

Jim Chisholm resigned from his post as Deltona's city manager on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Chisholm, who was initially hired as interim manager last October, said his employement with the city was never meant to be longterm. Chisholm is pictured here speaking during a Volusia County Legislative Delegation meeting Jan. 9, 2023.
Jim Chisholm resigned from his post as Deltona's city manager on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Chisholm, who was initially hired as interim manager last October, said his employement with the city was never meant to be longterm. Chisholm is pictured here speaking during a Volusia County Legislative Delegation meeting Jan. 9, 2023.

Chisholm's resignation follows that of Rick Karl from the post of deputy city manager. Karl stepped down Aug. 10 after three months in the role.

Karl said via text Tuesday that he left on good terms for personal and family reasons.

Karl, who previously served as the director of Daytona Beach International Airport, began working for Deltona in early May. His annual salary was $165,000, according to the city.

Rick Karl resigned from his post as Deltona's deputy city manager on Thursday, Aug. 10.
Rick Karl resigned from his post as Deltona's deputy city manager on Thursday, Aug. 10.

During the City Commission's most recent regular meeting on Aug. 7, Commissioner Jody Lee Storozuk asked about the status of searching for a permanent city manager because of a recent conversation he'd had with Karl.

"Our assistant city manager that's sitting right over here informed me right to my face that if Chisholm leaves, he's leaving, too," Storozuk said. "Well, guess what? That doesn't help us."

Storozuk said he had hoped the person in the deputy manager role would be the one to take over whenever Chisholm left.

Deltona is Volusia County's most populous city, with the most recent Census estimate putting the population at more than 97,000.

Special meeting scheduled

Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. said by phone Tuesday that he requested a special meeting to discuss the change-up in the city manager's office.

Avila posted Chisholm's resignation letter on social media, saying he has wanted to discuss the manager's performance.

"I was concerned that the Commission was not receiving previously promised information in a timely manner," Avila wrote in a Facebook post, adding that he had concerns about direction being given but not executed.

The agenda for the special meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday states the City Commission will discuss the search for a city manager and the appointment of an interim city manager as well as the departure of Joe Ruiz, the city's director of planning and development services.

"I wish Mr. Chisholm the best and ask for the citizens' support as we move to the next step in the process of selecting a new City Manager," Avila wrote.

In his resignation letter, Chisholm stated he will be on administrative leave until the effective date of his resignation, Sept. 14, and "will be available for consultation while on administrative leave by cell to assist with the transition."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Jim Chisholm resigns as Deltona's city manager days after Rick Karl