Jon Williams approved as Winter Garden’s city manager

The Winter Garden City Commission voted unanimously to make Jon Williams’ tenure as city manager official at the Thursday, March 24, meeting. 

“Jon has done a very good job; everything I’ve been involved with, everyone I’ve talked to in the city, has agreed Jon has done a good job,” Mayor John Rees said. “So I would make a motion tonight that we go ahead and appoint Jon as our city manager, if there’s no other comments or concerns from our commission.”

City Attorney Kurt Ardaman clarified the position would be subject to the contract, but the motion would be to start the process. 

“I couldn’t agree more,” District 3 Commissioner Mark Maciel said of Rees’ statement. 

District 1 Commissioner Lisa Bennett also agreed, saying Williams has done “a great job.”

District 2 Commissioner Ron Mueller asked his colleagues if they wanted to explore other possible candidates before making a decision. However, Mueller said he supported Williams’ appointment. 

“I didn’t know if we wanted to go through a formal process of looking at other candidates before we made the call,” he said. 

Although the commission could spend the time looking at other candidates, Rees said he believed the city had a good person for the job. 

“Time will tell, and I would just as soon move on,” Rees said. 

District 4 Commissioner Colin Sharman agreed with Rees.

“The real thing about managing a business or company is that people below you respect you and work with you, and like you, and I think that staff knows him and that’s a big statement,” Sharman said. 

The commission unanimously approved Williams as the permanent city manager, and many residents in attendance clapped in support of the decision. 

“I look forward to being here for a very long time,” Williams said. 

Williams has served as interim city manager since late 2021, replacing former city manager Mike Bollhoefer, who announced his resignation during the Oct. 14, 2021, City Commission meeting.

Williams previously served Winter Garden as assistant city manager of public services beginning in 2018.

IN OTHER NEWS

• The commission approved a memorandum of understanding with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to have the Ocoee Police Department rejoin the West Orange Narcotics Task Force.
• Commissioners approved a binding lot combination agreement for 279 and 291 Gary Drive. The owner of 291 recently bought the neighboring 279 and requested to combine the two lots. 
• Winter Garden commissioners approved a drainage system repair partial reimbursement agreement with the Lakeview Reserve Homeowners Association.
• Elected officials approved an authorization to dispose of surplus vehicles and equipment.
• The commission approved the annual Spring Fever in the Garden event by the Bloom & Grow Garden Society. The event is set for April 2 and 3 in downtown Winter Garden. 
• Winter Garden resident Joseph Richardson asked the community to attend a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Crooked Can Brewing Company.