READING, Pa. – Reading City Council announced during a special meeting Monday night that City Auditor Maria Rodriguez has resigned from her elected position.
Council President Donna Reed said she was asked to read a letter from Rodriguez that was dated Sept. 16.
“I would like to notify you that I am retiring effective September 21, 2026, and this will be my last day to serve as City Auditor of the City of Reading,” Rodriguez wrote. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the residents of the City of Reading. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you as your City Auditor for the last 6 plus years. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and for the trust and confidence placed in me throughout my tenure.”
Reed said the letter came as a surprise to the city.
Rodriguez has been on a sick leave for several months.
“She is one of the finest public servants I have had the privilege to work with in my 20-plus years here in City Council,” Reed said. “She was an extraordinarily good auditor. She is an extraordinarily good financial manager, and she certainly brought us the information we needed. She was diligent, she persevered, and she took the role of auditor very seriously.”
Reed said Rodriguez worked diligently to help the city exit Act 47 for financial distressed cities.
Council Solicitor Michael Gombar said the city charter states that in the event of the vacancy of the auditor, it is the role of council to fill the position.
Gombar added that even though it is a personnel matter, all interviews and discussions must occur in public and are not permitted to be done in any closed-door executive sessions.
Gombar said whoever is selected to fill the vacancy will serve only until the next municipal general election, which would be a term extending through the end of 2027.
Gombar said there are three requirements for any potential candidates: Applicants must be registered city voters, they must have been residents of the city since May 2022, and they must hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration, municipal government, accounting, management or any other related field.
Gombar said the city did not receive the resignation letter in time to have it placed on Monday night’s special meeting agenda, and that the matter will appear on next Monday’s voting meeting agenda.
Councilmember Jaime Baez Jr. said Rodriguez was exemplary.
“God bless Maria; I hope that she makes it through whatever she’s going through,” Baez said. “I just hope that she’s OK, and she remains in my prayers and best wishes to her.”
Managing Director Jack Gombach said the administration is sad to see Rodriguez leave.
“She was a really valuable partner — helped us create policies and pointed out things from different perspectives,” Gombach said. “So, we wish her all the best, and you know she will always be in our thoughts and prayers. And if she ever changes her mind, there will always be a place for her in city hall.”
The reason council held a special meeting Monday was to allow it to vote on two ordinances.
The ordinances, which were approved, amended:
the 2026 agency fund budget by increasing the expense account in contracted services by $200,000 and increasing the revenue account fund balance $200,000 to recognize funds received in 2025 through the 2024 award of funds from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund Grant.
the 2026 Position Ordinance to create a the position of Healthy Homes Program Specialist to be responsible for conducting assessments, environmental reviews, radon testing, site monitoring and compliance activities. The position will be funded primarily by the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes grant.