Key West lawmakers will consider more than tax rates and parking revenues at next week’s final budget meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Commissioner Donie Lee wants to negotiate an “amicable separation agreement” with City Manager Brian L. Barroso to end his employment “on mutually agreeable terms, in a prompt and time-sensitive manner,” states the proposed resolution.
Lee told the Keys Weekly that he had spoken with Barroso about the proposal, which Lee hopes will eliminate potentially costly lawsuits, disputes over termination with or without cause, and enable parties to part ways on mutually agreeable terms and move forward.
If passed, the resolution will direct the city attorney to negotiate the separation agreement, including a date and transition timeline, severance pay, treatment of accrued leave and benefits, nondisparagement and confidentiality provisions and other considerations. The resolution would direct the attorney to treat the matter as a priority and to report back to the city commission at its Oct. 1 meeting about the progress of negotiations.
The resolution states, “…disputes and disagreements have arisen between the mayor and the city manager; and the continuation of such disputes is disruptive to the effective functioning of city government, creates uncertainty for city employees and undermines public confidence in the operation of the city. The city commission finds that it is in the best interest of the commission, city employees and the community at large for the city and the city manager to part ways on mutually agreeable terms, avoiding further conflict and allowing both parties to move forward. An amicable, negotiated separation, rather than continued dispute or contested termination, best serves the interests of the commission, city employees and the community by minimizing disruption, cost and reputational risk to the city; and delay in addressing these matters risks further disruption to city operations, staff morale and public trust, and therefore warrants prompt and time-sensitive action.”
Barroso began work as city manager in January 2025. His current contract is slated to end in January 2029.
Barroso and Mayor Sam Kaufman, who was a city commissioner for 10 years until elected mayor last month, have had a publicly contentious relationship. Kaufman had proposed at the Sept. 1 meeting giving Barroso notice that the commission wanted to preserve its right to change or terminate Barroso’s employment contract before it automatically renewed in January 2027 for two years, but the motion failed by one vote. At the time, Lee voted against Kaufman’s proposal to notify Barroso of potential termination of his contract.
Lee’s newly proposed resolution urges the city attorney to “pursue good-faith negotiations with the city manager toward an amicable separation agreement that resolves the city manager’s employment relationship with the city on mutually agreeable terms.
“Given the impact of the ongoing disputes on the commission, city employees and the community, the city attorney shall treat this matter as a priority and shall proceed expeditiously, reporting back to the commission on progress at the Oct. 1 city commission meeting,” the resolution states.
Barroso was hired at a salary of $215,000. Following raise negotiations, his current salary is $265,000 per year. He was chosen from among five finalist applicants in December 2024. Barroso grew up in Key West and graduated from Key West High School. He was living in Charlotte, North Carolina and working in banking and finance when he was hired as city manager, writing on his application, “I thrive in high-pressure and fast-paced situations, striving for positive results by applying my leadership and management abilities. Further, I possess expertise in finance and acumen for maximizing performance and inspiring colleagues.”
Barroso did not respond to an email seeking comment on Tuesday afternoon.
If Lee’s resolution passes on Sept. 22, the commission will have to decide on the process to search for and find Barroso’s successor.
According to the city’s website, “The office of the city manager is responsible for the complete administrative management and delivery of city services and programs. The city manager, appointed by the city commission, reports to the mayor and commissioners. The city manager responds to the needs of the public by proactively seeking public feedback as the city’s chief executive officer and acts as a liaison among the various departments of the government, the citizens of Key West and the city commission. All department heads, including the police and fire chiefs, report directly to the city manager. The city manager’s department provides executive leadership in managing all departments and enterprises of the city.”
