By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
The chaos inside Apopka City Hall continued on Friday when Mayor Bryan Nelson, without informing the city commissioners or seeking counsel from City Attorney Cliff Shepard, fired City Administrator Jacob Smith.
Smith confirmed Nelson's surprising action in a text to The Apopka Voice.
"Yes, I was terminated today," he said. "No notice, no warning, not even sure why."
News of the termination was first posted on The Apopka Critic Facebook page, a local social media site with over 14,000 followers.
Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez was taken aback by Nelson's unilateral decision.
"His termination is completely out of left field," she said. "This is concerning. I recently shared with Jacob (Smith) at my Agenda Review earlier this week a recent incident in which I strongly expressed my concern and dislike of the Mayor’s action. I wrote an email to the city attorney, copying CAO Jacob Smith. His termination by the Mayor is creating an environment ruled by Fear. The threat of termination hangs over the heads of every employee. I did express that sentiment in my email to the attorney. I’m saddened for CAO Jacob Smith and his family. He uprooted his family from Utah and has conducted himself with the utmost professionalism, Integrity, and accountability. He did his best with the limited authority the mayor allowed."
Commissioner Nick Nesta was also concerned at Nelson's termination of Smith.
"Via an email message from City of Apopka Administrator Mr. Jacob Smith, it was brought to my attention that he was abruptly terminated by the current Mayor of Apopka, Bryan Nelson," Nesta said.
"In this email message Mr. Smith stated this action against him was unexpected and effective immediately.
With the chronic turnover of City of Apopka Department Heads, other employees and now the City Administrator email, I continue to have major concerns about the hostile work environment many are subject to with the current Administration.
Additionally, the services we are providing to our residents continue to be compromised and sacrificed based upon the will of one person which continue to resonate throughout Apopka negatively.
Clearly, things at City Hall remain in dire need of long overdue change.
I will continue to advocate for our residents and the services they deserve, expect and pay for with integrity, character, morals and ethics."
Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore was also surprised at Smith's termination.
"It's concerning that Nelson terminated his chief administrator the same week he told another employee that I would terminate them if I were mayor," she said. "No one should ever fear losing their job simply over an election."
Although Nelson's action was unilateral in nature, the current Apopka City Charter grants him that power.
According to the Charter:
Sec. 3.02. - Appointment and duties of city administrator.
The city administrator shall be appointed by the mayor and be responsible for coordinating and integrating the administrative and executive functions of the city as directed by the mayor and consistent with the policy approved by the city council.
Sec. 2.04. - Mayor.
The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city and shall be responsible to the electorate for the administration of all city affairs placed in his/her charge by or under this Charter. The mayor shall:
(a)
Appoint, and, when the mayor deems it necessary for the good of the city, suspend or terminate all city employees and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this Charter. Department heads shall be appointed by the mayor and ratified by the city council. The mayor may authorize any administrative officer who is subject to the mayor's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's department, office, or agency.
Sec. 3.02. - Appointment and duties of city administrator.
The city administrator shall be appointed by the mayor and be responsible for coordinating and integrating the administrative and executive functions of the city as directed by the mayor and consistent with the policy approved by the city council.
Smith started as Apopka City Administrator in June 2024.
Editor's Note: The Apopka Voice also contacted Nelson and Commissioners Nadia Anderson and Alexander Smith but did not respond by the time of publication.
This developing story will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice as more details are known.
