Four Voted for Separation Talks. They No Longer Agree on What Comes Next.

The 4–3 majority that authorized separation negotiations with City Manager Brian L. Barroso no longer speaks with one voice and hold different ideas about what should happen next.

After Barroso formally rejected a negotiated departure, Palm and Prejudice asked Mayor Sam Kaufman and all six city commissioners the same three questions.

Do they support Barroso continuing as city manager? What, if anything, should the commission do next regarding his employment or contract? And should any further decision wait until the incoming District IV commissioner is seated?

Commissioner Donie Lee, who sponsored the resolution authorizing separation talks and joined the narrow majority approving them, was also asked to reconcile that effort with his current position.

Palm and Prejudice asked the same three questions to the commissioners and mayor with one additional point raised to Commissioner Donie Lee, who provided the crucial 4th vote to direct the city attorney to engage in separation discussions with the embattled city manager.

The answers reveal anything but a consensus.

Kaufman wants an independent investigation into concerns that have been raised about Barroso. Lee and Commissioner Mark Rossi support Barroso remaining in the job. Newly seated Commissioner Chris Massicotte says he does not currently favor firing a charter employee without cause but will closely scrutinize Barroso’s performance. Commissioners Monica Haskell and Aaron Castillo declined to say whether Barroso should stay or go.

Commissioner Lissette Carey, who will depart after November's election, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Barroso’s rejection of a negotiated departure leaves the commission facing the harder choices that the separation talks might have avoided.

Namely, do they continue working with him, pursue an independent investigation, evaluate his performance or potentially consider another route toward termination.

The earlier 4–3 vote authorizing separation talks can no longer be read as an existing four-vote bloc for removing Barroso.

Kaufman: Investigate, Don’t Wait

The newly-elected mayor maintains that the commission should move forward with an independent investigation into the concerns that have been raised.

“We should carefully review the facts, the City Manager's contractual and legal rights, and the advice of the City Attorney before determining the next steps,” Kaufman said, adding that the goal should be a fair, lawful and timely resolution that protects the interests of the city and its taxpayers.

The mayor also does not want the matter delayed simply because a new District IV commissioner will soon be elected.

Kaufman stressed that his concerns are not about personal differences with Barroso, but whether continuing the current arrangement is in the best interests of the city.

Lee: Separation Sponsor Still Backs Barroso

Perhaps the clearest break from the majority that authorized separation talks comes from Lee, who sponsored the resolution directing the city attorney to pursue an amicable departure.

Those talks ultimately produced no agreement after Barroso formally said he wanted to stay.

But Lee’s support for him remains explicit.

“I continue to support Brian Barroso as our City Manager,” Lee said.

He added that he hopes Barroso and Kaufman can “forge a professional and productive relationship.”

This position underscores that voting to explore a negotiated departure did not necessarily mean every member of that majority wanted Barroso terminated.

Massicotte: Measure Him on Performance

Massicotte pointed back to his first City Commission meeting, when he said he would not have voted to hire Barroso as city manager.

“But he is there now, he has two years left on his contract and I'm interested in getting things done rather than continue to debate whether or not he should stay,” Massicotte said. “I am not currently in favor of firing any city charter employees for no cause.”

Massicotte revealed he has since met with Barroso and given him specific areas for improvement, including greater accessibility to the press.

Barroso has declined opportunities to respond to questions from Palm and Prejudice.

Massicotte said he intends to measure the city manager's progress and take his annual performance review in January “very seriously.”

He also showed little interest in allowing the unresolved District IV race to prolong the debate.

“Waiting for the new District IV Commissioner to be seated may or may not change the math,” Massicotte said, “but I am more interested in solving the city's problems than continuing to debate the city manager's future.”

Haskell: "I'm Still Listening"

Commissioner Monica Haskell characterized the question of whether she supports Barroso remaining as city manager as a polarizing one about a nuanced situation and declined to take a firm position.

“The city manager serves at the pleasure of the commission as a whole,” Haskell said. “When we commissioners come to the dais with decisions already formed, there is little opportunity to have real conversations and learn from each other.”

“My role is to be the voice of my constituents,” she continued. “I've heard a lot and I'm still listening."

Rossi Says Stay, Castillo Won’t Say

Rossi, who returned to the District II seat this year after previously serving on the commission, was more direct.

Asked whether he supports Barroso continuing as city manager, Rossi said, “I have no problem with that.”

He was less certain about what the commission should do next regarding Barroso’s employment or contract, saying he would have to think about it.

Castillo, meanwhile, declined to say whether he currently supports Barroso remaining in the job.

“I am still considering my options, and my position on this matter is a personal decision that I am not prepared to disclose publicly at this point,” Castillo said.

He did say the commission should carefully review Barroso’s employment agreement and legal advice from the city attorney before determining its options.

“Any further action should be conducted transparently, professionally, and in accordance with the City's Charter and contractual obligations,” Castillo said. “It is important that decisions of this magnitude are made thoughtfully rather than hastily.”

Rossi and Castillo

Returning Commissioner Rossi said he has no problem continuing to support Barroso remaining and thinks that the District IV race should be settled before any further major decisions are made.

While Commissioner Castillo says he is still considering his options and will not disclose his position yet.

He does believe the Commission should carefully review Barroso's existing employment agreement and consider the legal advice provided by the City Attorney, before determining what options are available moving forward.

"Any further action should be conducted transparently, professionally, and in accordance with the City's Charter and contractual obligations. It is important that decisions of this magnitude are made thoughtfully rather than hastily."

A Different Question Now

Barroso’s rejection of a negotiated departure means there is still no resolution to the dispute surrounding City Hall’s top administrative job. But it has changed the question confronting the commission.

A majority previously agreed to explore whether Barroso and the city could mutually agree to part ways. They could not.

What remains is whether enough commissioners want to pursue another path that could eventually end with Barroso’s removal or whether a majority is prepared to move forward with him still running City Hall.