Fort Myers Beach finance director announces plans to resign
Town of Fort Myers Beach Finance Director Joe Onzick has submitted his letter of resignation, effective April 30.
Onzick, who started working for the town in March of 2023 had earned many accolades form the town council and manager for his work in being able to maintain a balanced budget for the town while finding ways to accommodate the town council and management’s spending priorities.
In his letter, Onzick cited exhaustion due to the “many number of hours required to fulfill” his responsibilities and meet the challenges he said his position faced.
In Onzick’s letter of resignation, he cited accomplishments such as a balanced budget with no millage increase while also saying more work needs to be done including filling several positions and cash flow monitoring.
Onzick left the town a list of work that he believes still needs to be done including ongoing assistance with contracts and oversight of procurement, tracking grant-related expenditures and reimbursements, preparing FEMA assistance requests, financial oversight of the Tier 1 project, monthly financial statement preparation and establishing standard operating procedures among them.
Onzick’s letter of resignation, which was accepted April 1 by Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt, was submitted just days after he responded to a letter from the state’s new DOGE office which had inquired about the town’s fiscal condition. The state’s new DOGE office, modeled after the controversial department started by President Donald Trump, was created by DeSantis through an executive order.
The state had sent similar letters to every municipality and county in the state. In the letter to the town, the state DOGE office asked if the town had experienced any financial distress. Onzick replied that the town had not experienced any financial distress since the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Neither Hyatt nor Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers responded to questions as to whether they had any input in Onzick’s response to the state.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach received an $11.9 million bridge loan from DeSantis in 2023 through the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan program to help the town recover after Hurricane Ian. Though there have been talks in the past amongst state legislators of potentially seeking to have the state forgive the loan, there has been no recent indications that the state may do so. The loan calls for the town to pay it back with 10% interest.
A message left with the office of DeSantis seeking comment on whether the state will forgive the loan, was not returned.
Last year, the Town of Fort Myers Beach tapped into the bridge loan to help replenish its fund balance. The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council authorized the transfer of $3.085 million from the $11.9 million state bridge loan to replenish the town’s general fund as a result of lost revenue due to the effects of Hurricane Ian.
Hyatt issued a complimentary statement regarding Onzick following Onzick’s letter of resignation.
“Over my career, I have worked with numerous finance directors who have a made a major impact on the organization. I would put Joe at the top of the list, having made an extraordinary contribution to the Town of Fort Myers Beach. I have seen employees come and employees go, Joe is definitely one that you don’t want to see go, but you understand that everyone desires to pursue what makes them happiest in life and in their careers. Although he will be missed, we wish him the best in his new opportunity,” Hyatt said.
Allers also lauded Onzick’s work.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our Chief Financial Officer, Joe Onzick, for his exceptional service to the Town of Fort Myers Beach,” Allers said in an email. “His financial expertise and dedication have been instrumental in navigating the town through its most challenging times in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Joe’s efforts have significantly contributed to the town’s recovery and financial stability. Under his guidance, our financial position has strengthened, leaving the town in a better place than before he arrived. While we are saddened to see him leave, we wholeheartedly wish Joe continued success in his future endeavors.”
Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said Onzick was “a very valuable member of our team at Town Hall and we are thankful for his service. He is a true servant leader and I wish him Godspeed in his future endeavors.”
Councilmember Scott Safford said “I am saddened by the resignation of Joe. Being the council liaison to the Audit Committee, I see first hand what a fine job he does. He has been a remarkable asset to the Town, especially in the wake of Hurricane Ian. I wish him all the best.”
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com