OCALA — Assistant City Manager Bill Kauffman has announced he is retiring next month.
His announcement came a day after City Manager Sandra Wilson was sacked in a 3-2 City Council vote.
Kauffman was one of two top employees named in a report the city auditor released after investigating a whistleblower complaint about the way the city handles contracts for banking, bill printing, mailing, e-bill presentation and electronic Payment services created, had created. The auditor said he found no evidence of gross mismanagement but made some recommendations for future handling of the matters.
Detection:Auditor wants changes at Ocala City Hall after reviewing whistleblower complaint
Completed:Ocala City manager Sandra Wilson was fired by a vote of 3-2; Assistant City Manager Pete Lee steps in
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Bill Kauffman: “I wish the city all the best”
In his three-paragraph letter to interim city manager Pete Lee, Kauffman said he was providing “a two-week notice period, with two weeks from today being my last day, May 4, 2022.” The letter is dated 20
“I’ve worked with a great group of people in the city and am proud to have been a part of the city’s progress and growth over the past seven years,” Kauffman wrote.
The letter ends, “It has been a privilege to have served the city of Ocala and I wish the city well.”
Contacted by Star-Banner, Kauffman said the auditor’s report did not affect his retirement decision.
“No, that’s been confirmed to me,” Kauffman said.
Kauffman said people always have to weigh up what’s best for them. He said the city is doing well financially, functioning well and it was time for him to step down.
“It’s time for me to retire and take the next step in my life. I wish the city all the best. We have a great team here and I know they will do well. The city is in the best shape it’s ever been,” said Kauffmann.
When asked about his next move, Kauffman said he will enjoy retirement and enjoy being with his family.
When asked about his feelings about what happened to his former boss, Kauffman said Wilson is “a great city manager who does a great job. She did a good job and served the city well.”
Who is Bill Kauffman?
According to the city’s website, Kauffman became an assistant city manager in the summer of 2015. His responsibilities include finance, housekeeping, information technology and power supply.
His biography states that he has more than 25 years of “management and tax consulting experience”.
Prior to being hired by the city, Kauffman served in the Marion County government and served in a variety of roles, including interim state administrator, assistant county administrator, and treasurer.
Before working in county and city government, he was the chief financial officer, reimbursement manager and administrator, and operations director for two Florida healthcare organizations.
Kauffman has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration, according to his resume.
Interim City Manager Pete Lee: “We serve the people of Ocala and will continue to do our job.”
Lee said Kauffman was at work Wednesday and they talked. He said Kauffman told him of his intention to retire.
The interim city manager stressed that no one would be fired or forced to resign.
Lee said the departures of Wilson and Kauffman came as a shock to some employees. However, Lee said: “We have a job to do. We serve the people of Ocala and we will continue to do our jobs.”
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb