City attorney authorized to negotiate an “amicable” separation as Barroso pleads for his job; commission expects an update at the Oct. 1 regular meeting.
I want to say $550. Attorney’s are expensive, but honestly not sure how good she really is unless your last name starts with a B. The last couple of meetings it is becoming apparent that she is selectively working towards Barroso’s benefit. Honestly, depending on how all this goes down, am wondering if the City might have cause for malpractice.
They should have hired Dirk Smits at Vernis & Bowling to begin with.
Tuesday’s 4–3 vote allowing the City Attorney to begin negotiating a possible separation with City Manager Brian Barroso is only the beginning. There are still many questions the Key West City Commission needs to answer for the people who live and pay taxes here.
The vote was also interesting because it changed the lineup from the Commission’s September 3 vote. Three weeks ago, the Commission voted 4–3 not to preserve the City’s right to change or end Mr. Barroso’s contract before it automatically renewed.
This time, Commissioners Chris Massicotte and Monica Haskell joined Vice Mayor Donie Lee and Mayor Sam Kaufman in supporting negotiations. Commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo and Mark Rossi voted no.
But Tuesday’s vote did not fire Mr. Barroso. It did not approve a severance payment or a final separation agreement. It simply gave the City Attorney permission to negotiate one.
And that leaves some very important questions.
The resolution does not say how much money the City is willing to offer. It does not set a departure date. It does not say what happens to the proposed independent investigation into Mr. Barroso’s time as City Manager. And it does not say who would run City Hall if he leaves or what that transition would cost.
Those are not minor details.
Mr. Barroso’s contract already provides 15 weeks of severance if he is terminated without cause. His contract also automatically renewed through January 2029, with a 5% salary increase.
Before the City agrees to pay anything beyond what the contract already requires, residents deserve to know exactly what that additional money would buy.
For example:
* How much would the proposed separation actually cost taxpayers?
* How much of that money is already required by the contract?
* How much would be extra?
* What would the City receive in return for any additional payment?
* Would Mr. Barroso agree to release any claims against the City?
* What happens to his unused leave and benefits?
* How much would it cost the City to keep him through January 2029 compared with negotiating his departure?
* Would a separation agreement interfere with the proposed independent investigation?
* Who would run the City if Mr. Barroso leaves?
* What would that transition cost?
* What would the process and cost be for finding a new City Manager?
City Attorney Mayanne Downs is expected to report back to the Commission on October 1. That is also when the independent investigation may come up.
That meeting will be important.
An amicable separation may ultimately be the right solution for the City. But before the City spends additional taxpayer money, residents deserve to know what we are paying, what we are getting in return, and what happens next.
“Amicable” should not mean without accountability.
The Commission has authorized the negotiations. Now it needs to show the public what it is being asked to approve—and why.
Making the issue “just getting along” is so short-sighted! I would like it if there was elaboration on what was attached to the resolution regarding Mr Barroso’s behavior.
I want to say $550. Attorney’s are expensive, but honestly not sure how good she really is unless your last name starts with a B. The last couple of meetings it is becoming apparent that she is selectively working towards Barroso’s benefit. Honestly, depending on how all this goes down, am wondering if the City might have cause for malpractice.
They should have hired Dirk Smits at Vernis & Bowling to begin with.
I’m concerned that she has any part in this business with Barroso
I am so shocked at this vote LOL! I won the bet on this one - with myself of course!
Let me add here i like Mr Barroso
Downs and Barroso negotiations, sure to work well…for them.
September 22, 2026
Tuesday’s 4–3 vote allowing the City Attorney to begin negotiating a possible separation with City Manager Brian Barroso is only the beginning. There are still many questions the Key West City Commission needs to answer for the people who live and pay taxes here.
The vote was also interesting because it changed the lineup from the Commission’s September 3 vote. Three weeks ago, the Commission voted 4–3 not to preserve the City’s right to change or end Mr. Barroso’s contract before it automatically renewed.
This time, Commissioners Chris Massicotte and Monica Haskell joined Vice Mayor Donie Lee and Mayor Sam Kaufman in supporting negotiations. Commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo and Mark Rossi voted no.
But Tuesday’s vote did not fire Mr. Barroso. It did not approve a severance payment or a final separation agreement. It simply gave the City Attorney permission to negotiate one.
And that leaves some very important questions.
The resolution does not say how much money the City is willing to offer. It does not set a departure date. It does not say what happens to the proposed independent investigation into Mr. Barroso’s time as City Manager. And it does not say who would run City Hall if he leaves or what that transition would cost.
Those are not minor details.
Mr. Barroso’s contract already provides 15 weeks of severance if he is terminated without cause. His contract also automatically renewed through January 2029, with a 5% salary increase.
Before the City agrees to pay anything beyond what the contract already requires, residents deserve to know exactly what that additional money would buy.
For example:
* How much would the proposed separation actually cost taxpayers?
* How much of that money is already required by the contract?
* How much would be extra?
* What would the City receive in return for any additional payment?
* Would Mr. Barroso agree to release any claims against the City?
* What happens to his unused leave and benefits?
* How much would it cost the City to keep him through January 2029 compared with negotiating his departure?
* Would a separation agreement interfere with the proposed independent investigation?
* Who would run the City if Mr. Barroso leaves?
* What would that transition cost?
* What would the process and cost be for finding a new City Manager?
City Attorney Mayanne Downs is expected to report back to the Commission on October 1. That is also when the independent investigation may come up.
That meeting will be important.
An amicable separation may ultimately be the right solution for the City. But before the City spends additional taxpayer money, residents deserve to know what we are paying, what we are getting in return, and what happens next.
“Amicable” should not mean without accountability.
The Commission has authorized the negotiations. Now it needs to show the public what it is being asked to approve—and why.
Respectfully,
Loretta M. Di Tocco
Key West Resident and Taxpayer
Making the issue “just getting along” is so short-sighted! I would like it if there was elaboration on what was attached to the resolution regarding Mr Barroso’s behavior.
Downs is getting how much per hour?!