City Manager Alberto Parjus announced his resignation at the end of the rare Coral Gables City Commission special meeting on May 6, marking the fourth departure from the city’s top administrative post in less than a year. His resignation will take effect May 22. Deputy City Manager Joe Gomez will assume the role in an acting capacity.

Parjus, who had served as city manager since late January and previously as deputy city manager, cited a mix of pride and progress in his farewell remarks.

“Serving this community—the City Beautiful—has been among the greatest experiences of my professional life,” Parjus said. “I am proud of the progress we made together to improve the quality of life for our residents and to make our government service more efficient.”

In a statement released at the meeting, Parjus highlighted several accomplishments from his brief tenure: the implementation of modern performance measurement systems, greater operational transparency, enhanced financial and budget reporting, and the launch of a city asset review program to improve oversight of public properties.

He added, “I am proud of the significant investment made in community assets and services. This includes improvements to the Coral Gables Golf and Country Club, the ongoing restoration at the Venetian Pool, enhanced code enforcement efforts, the installation of temporary speed tables to increase safety, and several projects to elevate the city’s safety aesthetic and public spaces.”

Although there has been talk that Lago was moving pieces to bring back former City Manager Peter Iglesias in the near future (he publicly praised the former city manager during the city’s April Induction Ceremony, but did not respond to Gazette requests for comment on whether Iglesias will be considered for a return) and that he in fact voted against Parjus’ appointment in January, the mayor was effusive in his praise for the departing city official.

“It’s been an honor to serve with you, you’ve been incredibly responsive and most importantly, been a gentleman,” Lago said.  The mayor’s regular foil, Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, agreed.

“You’ve served with distinction for several years, you have elevated our budget process, we can now understand better what has been spent in the past and what is being spent now,” Fernandez said. “You’ve always been my first choice as city manager, you and I share a bond that goes back many years, you worked with my father many years ago. I appreciate what you have done for us. Don’t be a stranger.”

Parjus’ resignation agreement includes continued salary payments at the city manager rate—$295,000 annually—through May 22, followed by 20 weeks of severance and payouts for any unused sick and vacation time.

Public reaction, next steps

While commissioners praised Parjus’ tenure, not all voices in the room were conciliatory. Civic activist Maria Cruz and longtime thorn in Lago’s side, used the opportunity to criticize the revolving door at City Hall and the mayor’s role in it.

“This isn’t a surprise; it was expected,” Cruz said. “We campaigned on the fact that there were three city managers in one year. Now this makes four. Whoever is on top can do whatever he wants. Once again, the king is in. Let’s see how long he stays.”

Parjus leaves City Hall with a 35-year public service résumé that includes senior roles at the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works and a three-year stint as assistant city manager for the City of Miami. He joined Coral Gables in 2022 as deputy city manager.

The City Commission is expected to discuss the future of the position at its next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20. According to city spokesperson Martha Pantin, a decision on a new permanent city manager may come at that time.