Atkinson resigns as Lakeland leader
Lakeland City Manager Jim Atkinson, who has overseen the suburb’s dayto-day operation for more than three years, announced he is leaving the post to go into the private sector as a planner.
Atkinson, who has worked for the city 13 years and became city manager in January 2015, submitted his resignation letter at the end of the city’s Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday night. Atkinson said he is joining Lakeland-based A2H, as a planner.
As he handed out his resignation letter to board members, Atkinson said he felt “blessed” to be leaving the city on friendly terms, noting that many times city managers “get run of town.” “The city is in excellent financial shape and poised for continued growth,” Atkinson said in his resignation letter, later adding: “I am extremely proud of our accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing more amazing progress in the coming years.”
Atkinson was working as Lakeland’s city planner when the Board of Commissioners named him to the interim post when Chris Thomas was dismissed. After serving in the interim role for four months, Atkinson was appointed to the position.
Lakeland Mayor Wyatt Bunker, said he has worked with government leaders, school superintendents and mayors and “I haven’t worked with a better leader, more honorable, harder working (leader) than you.” He added that Atkinson is a “valuable asset to our team.”
“We’re obviously devastated,” Bunker said.
Commissioner Matt Wright said the resignation is “terrible news” for the city. “I hold him in the highest regard,” Wright said. “...It will hurt. It will be hard to replace Jim.”
Atkinson said there is no specific timeline for his departure, and he plans to remain to help with the transition to a new city manager.
“This is a very difficult time,” he said. “I’m very blessed to be able to move from one great position to another.”