Miami City Manager Carlos Migoya To Resign
The revolving door for the Miami city manager's office is swinging again. Carlos Migoya is leaving the post at the end of December, less than one year after taking the job.
Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado told CBS4's Michael Williams Friday, "There is not going to be an earthquake in the city of Miami. Carlos is working on having a smooth transition."
Migoya, a career banker, officially took the job last February, replacing Pete Hernandez. Hernandez resigned amidst growing talk that his bosses wanted someone else to lead the way out of a brewing budget crisis.
During his brief tenure Migoya managed to steer the city clear of bankruptcy and mass layoffs. In the process he, the mayor, and commissioners have angered Miami police, firefighters and municipal workers by exacting tough financial concessions from those groups.
Court battles are brewing, but the mayor gives Migoya high marks.
Regalado said, "I think it is an "A". Carlos has been a trooper."
The mayor also dismissed suggestions made by two sources Williams spoke with that he and Migoya had developed some friction in their relationship, precipitating an early exit by the city manager.
Regaldo noted that Migoya accepted the manager's post with no salary and had always said the job was not a long term proposition. Furthermore, Migoya is helping guide the transition period now underway.
Regalado said, "We are parting friends." Migoya is out of town and was unavailable for comment.
Now, the hunt is on for a new Miami city manager. Look for someone to be named next month and you can expect they will be tapped from South Florida.
"The next manager," Regalado said, "will have to understand we have in place a solid team."
That next manager, the third in less than one year, will have no time to get adjusted to the hot seat. The Miami budget crisis, like those impact cities everywhere, offers no easy, painless solutions.
