Parkland city manager plans to resign

Parkland City Manager Bob Payton has agreed to resign rather than be fired.

Payton has sparred with Mayor Christine Hunschofsky, who asked the commission to fire him at Wednesday’s meeting.

“You don’t have the votes to get rid of me,” Payton told her, but he agreed to leave his job anyway.

Payton, who has clashed with some members on the commission about development issues, plans to stay on as city manager through Feb. 28, then remain consultant for five months.

Among the sources of contention: whether the city should create a plan for 800 acres that could be annexed into the city and whether the city should pursue a “Mizner-like” environment to bring in office space and retail to create a “more diversified tax base.”

At Wednesday’s meeting, Hunschofsky defended her decision. “I will unequivocally say that nothing I’m saying tonight or doing tonight is based on personality, based on drama or based on emotion,”

ashe said. In a statement to the South Florida Sun Sentinel late Friday, the mayor noted how Payton had previously talked of leaving the city.

“Almost a year ago Mr. Payton wanted to resign because he ‘would not like to be here,’” she said. “Here we are a year later and there are a number of false narratives. I feel like we need a fresh, open and accurate perspective going into the strategic planning and visioning process.”

Hunschofsky didn’t in her statement. elaborate

Payton

“I think you’re the best thing for this city," said Commissioner Ken Cutler. “I don’t want to see you go.”

He said he thinks Payton’s “vision and planning” are necessary for Parkland “to move forward into the future.”

Through a spokeswoman, Payton said he will “ensure a smooth transition.”

Payton, who has been Parkland’s manager since June 2017, earns $184,824. The manager is the chief executive officer of a city, in charge of running the day-today is not without his supporters. operations and overseeing department heads.

Payton is the second consecutive manager to leave after butting heads with Hunschofsky.

City Manager Caryn GardnerYoung left in 2016, also working as a consultant while she searched for a new job under her separation agreement.

A special meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 to discuss the details of Payton’s departure.