Clay Today staff<\/p>\n
ORANGE PARK \u2014 After just five months as the acting town manager of Orange Park, Joseph Taylor has made the decision to resign from his post.<\/p>\n
He officially announced the news at the Tuesday, April 21, Town Council meeting.<\/p>\n
Taylor will soon be heading back to Iowa to serve as the next city administrator for Mount Pleasant. The hiring was approved during the City of Mount Pleasant’s council meeting on April 8, according to a Facebook post.<\/p>\n
Taylor said his decision was not easy and primarily due to increased family hardship and actions potentially being taken at the state level.<\/p>\n
“It is in the best interest of both my family and the town for me to currently step away from this role. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the Town of Orange Park,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I can’t say enough good things about the reception that the staff has given me.”<\/p>\n
Taylor was selected as the town manager of Orange Park back in December after leaving his role as the city administrator for Center Point, Iowa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The town of Orange Park began its extensive search for a new manager following the resignation of Sarah Campbell, who took a job as the city manager of Fernandina Beach back in 2024. Following that, the council hired William Whitson as the interim town manager, before Director of Finance John Villanueva took on the interim role.<\/p>\n
Councilmembers expressed their sadness with Taylor’s decision but wished him well. Mayor Randy Anderson said that Taylor will be a tough act to follow.<\/p>\n
“You’re outstanding. You came in, you brought this town together, you got this staff back on board because we were a year without a town manager. I am saddened that you are leaving. You were that inspiration that we were looking for a whole year,” Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Taylor’s last day with the town will be on May 28, however, he said he will be fully involved with the town’s transition process. The council discussed potential avenues for finding an interim town manager as they search for a permanent candidate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Council members agreed to look internally at eligible department heads for an interim town manager and also reach out to the Florida City and County Manager Association for recommendations. They also plan to make the opportunity open to eligible leaders within the Clay County community. If interested, they should contact Taylor at jtaylor@townop.com.<\/p>\n
The search for a permanent town manager could begin by the end of the month.<\/p>\n
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