Alachua Approves Contract for City Manager Rodolfo Valladares

ALACHUA – The City of Alachua City Commission on Jan. 26, 2026, approved an employment contract formally appointing Rodolfo Valladares as the city’s permanent city manager, marking the conclusion of a transition that began when he stepped into the role on an interim basis last summer.

Commission Vote and Background

The commission approved the agreement on a 3–1 vote and authorized the mayor to sign it. Commissioner Dayna Williams was not present at the Jan. 26 meeting, though she had voted at the Jan. 12 meeting in favor of bringing the city manager’s contract back for consideration. Commissioner Jacob Fletcher voted against bringing the contract forward at the earlier meeting and again voted against approval on Jan. 26.

Contract Development and Legal Review

The contract stems from the Jan. 12 decision in which commissioners selected Valladares for the permanent position and directed the city attorney to prepare a formal agreement. City Attorney Kiersten N. Ballou explained the contract closely follows previous city manager agreements and Valladares’ interim contract, with updates reflecting the permanent appointment. She also noted corrections of scrivener’s errors, which would be taken care of before the final document is signed.

Term, Salary and Evaluations

The agreement establishes a three-year term beginning Jan. 26, 2026, with an annual salary of $171,000 plus benefits. It also requires annual performance evaluations each August, with potential merit increases tied to those reviews and subject to available budget funds.

Discussion at the meeting included review of contract structure and provisions governing termination. Fletcher asked several questions about how different sections reference one another, particularly language concerning severance, and said he would have preferred to delay the vote for further review. The majority of commissioners moved forward, however.

Under the contract, the city manager serves at the pleasure of the commission and may be removed without cause by majority vote, with severance terms defined in the agreement. Termination for cause would not include severance pay.

In addition to salary, the contract provides for a city vehicle, family health, dental and vision insurance through the city’s plan, reimbursement for professional dues and official travel, and up to $10,000 for continued education. A written waiver allows Valladares to reside outside city limits.

Statements from City Leadership

While the contract discussion was largely procedural, several commissioners and members of the public spoke more broadly about leadership and service.

Mayor Walter Welch expressed appreciation for the work being done on behalf of residents. Commissioner Jennifer Ringersen voiced support for Valladares, stating, “one-hundred percent, integrity and all.”

Vice Mayor Shirley Green Brown also spoke glowingly about Valladares, saying “I meet with Mr. Valladares on a weekly basis. He is an awesome communicator, and listens attentively. He fosters engagement. He collaborates in the workplace with his directors and staff. Mr. Valladares is a family man and is a positive example for his colleagues.

“He exhibits integrity and transparency, is highly professional, an exceptional leader and exhibits extraordinary ethics. He is truly, truly committed to his work schedule, which extends on weekends he is goal oriented, organized and embraces our city, values, our strategic plan and our city's roadmap to success…And I want to express my highest commendations to Mr. Valladares.”

Public Comment

During public comment near the end of the meeting, Pastor Natron Curtis thanked city leadership and acknowledged the difficulty of public service. He said, “We talk about delays and building and stuff, and then we want to delay and nitpick at someone who I have known to be a man of his word to get the job done, and can and will get the job done…but the good book I live by says, ‘Don't muzzle the ox that treads out the corn.’ This man got a lot of corn tread out. He has got a lot of work to do.

“We can do a search and look all around the world for people that come in this city we don't know, who don't know this city, who don't know this culture, who don't know really, what's going on, and start all over again and push things back even farther. We have somebody we know, somebody we trust, and everybody may not, but I believe he'll do what he said he's going to do, and we have a commission to keep that in check…This is a good man.”

Earlier in the meeting, Reverend John Brown included city leadership in his opening invocation, praying for guidance for officials, saying, “we ask Lord God that as we go through this meeting, Lord God, that you will again be in our midst…be in the hearts and the minds of our citizens, our commissioners and everybody that's a part of this meeting.”

Valladares’ Background and Response

Valladares has served as interim city manager since June 2025 and previously worked within city administration.

Valladares responded to the approval of his contract saying, “It is my great honor to introduce my mother and father.” He added, “I cannot begin to say how grateful I am for them to see me continue to do the work that I'm doing. Honor your father and mother, that your days may be prolonged. My mother was a Cuban refugee. She came over, and my father was from Mexico and came over, too. They showed great gratitude for the wonderful things that this country does. They always pointed to God, faith, family, and pushed education. I am living the American dream.” Valladares also thanked other members of his family, including his wife and children who were also present at the meeting.

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