Islamorada council members appear to be entering 2025 in search of another village manager. They will consider a separation agreement with current manager Rob Cole during a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7 at the Founders Park Community Center.
Per the agreement, Cole will stay employed by the village until Feb. 28. However, he will begin administrative leave beginning Jan. 8 and stop physically reporting to work after Jan. 7, during which time the village will appoint an interim village manager until the hiring of a permanent manager.
Cole will be paid bi-weekly during administrative leave to his last day, as well as benefits he’s entitled to per the employment agreement and village policies. Between base compensation, housing and benefits, Cole will receive severance pay totaling $35,247.16.
Per the agreement, Cole will be reasonably available for consultation with the village, as necessary, through his last day. However, Cole will not have any involvement in the village’s daily administrative or operational decisions and will not carry out official duties, unless requested to do so by the village council.
While Cole has 21 days to sign the agreement, he also has seven days following the signing to revoke it.
Cole was hired by a previous council via 5-0 last February following a nationwide search. The selection came after the council elected not to renew the contract of then-manager Ted Yates; the vote was 3-2 during a July 2023 meeting. Between Yates’ departure and Cole’s arrival, the village used the services of various Monroe County department heads who performed the day-to-day duties as village manager. Cole officially began with the village last March.
