One of the City of Naples' top government officials has resigned from his post and informed his staff of his departure. Jay Boodheshwar, has served in similar roles in Palm Beach, Florida, Ohio, and Indiana, and managed approximately 500+ employees, and a $150,000,000+ budget for the City of 20,000+ people. He will "retire from the public sector," according to the City, and "embark on a career in the private sector" according to City Councilwoman Beth Petrunoff.
Mayor Heitmann said, “Mr. Boodheshwar has been an exceptional leader, guiding our city through pivotal moments with professionalism, a commitment to excellence, and dedication to serve our community. We are grateful for his service and wish him and his family all the best in this next chapter.”
Boodheshwar's salary paid $270,000 per year, as well as a housing allowance and City vehicle. The former City Manager left his post after 2 years, following a similar resignation from former City Manager Charles Chapman in 2021.
During his time with the City of Naples, the City stated in a news release, "Mr. Boodheshwar worked closely with Council, staff, and residents to maintain Naples’ high quality of life. His leadership helped the City navigate important issues, respond to emergencies and recovery efforts, improve internal culture and stabilize attrition, and prioritize community needs."
The City of Naples did not provide a specific reason for his departure aside from retiring from the public sector. His last day with the city will be on January 31, 2025.
What's Next?
The City of Naples tells NBC2 "Mr. Boodheshwar will work closely with City leadership to ensure a smooth transition," according to a release.
During the City of Naples previous search, staff paid an executive search firm, Ralph Andersen & Associates, $55,000 to find and recruit a new City Manager. The firm took about a year to find a hire a replacement, and during that time an interim City Manager was appointed. Ralph Andersen & Associates narrowed down 48 applications to a top 8, a final 3, and then left the decision to City Council. During that time, In 2022, City Council voted unanimously in favor of Boodheshwar.
Since Boodheshwar resigned, any remaining salary on his contract will not have to be paid out via taxpayer money. If he had been fired or removed from his position by City Council, his contract would have had to be paid in full.
The City Council will begin discussions regarding the selection of a new City Manager when they reconvene in January 2025.