While Titusville faces the familiar challenges of balancing development with environmental preservation, a growing chorus of residents is demanding change, expressing concerns about the city’s governance, transparency, and accountability.
The focal point of these concerns is City Manager Scott Larese, whose perceived control over the elected City Council,substantial salary increases, consistently glowing performance reviews, and lack of communication with the public have sparked widespread dissatisfaction.
“I see the city manager running the show, and I see the City Council following along,” said Michael Myjak, vice chair of the Titusville Environmental Commission and chair of Speak Up Titusville. This sentiment is echoed by others in the community, including Christopher Childs, a current Planning and Zoning member and City Council candidate.
Childs stated, “While some on the city council want to say that it is a small minority of people that are upset, I have met with plenty of residents who are not happy, and they feel like they are not being heard. When the city manager won’t meet with concerned citizens or return a phone call and email from a news outlet, a clear message needs to be sent from the city council that communication needs to improve right now!”
Stel Bailey, a community advocate, added another dimension to the concerns. “Unfortunately, the city’s reputation has suffered greatly due to a lack of accountability among elected officials and city staff. Transparency, accountability, and effective communication have been issues for some time with the City of Titusville government.”
Bailey further emphasized the need for “resilient leadership that can challenge detrimental behaviors, not swayed by ego, money, or power.” She acknowledged some progress but stressed the need for more substantial changes to create a city government that truly serves its people.
The desire for improved communication and transparency is a recurring theme among residents. Megan Moscoso, a current Planning and Zoning Board Member, confirmed this sentiment, stating “a common theme I hear from residents at City Hall is their desire for increased transparency and open communication with the City Manager. Although the number of meeting attendees may be small, this sentiment resonates broadly throughout the community.”
Despite the council-manager system in place, where the council sets policy and the manager implements it, residents perceive an imbalance of power favoring Larese. Some council members maintain their authority over the city manager, but the perception of his unchecked influence persists.
Larese’s salary, which has increased by over 57% since 2014 to $220,605 annually, is a point of contention for residents,especially considering it rivals the compensation of city managers in larger cities.
Moreover, his consistently perfect performance reviews from a majority of council members have drawn skepticism and calls for a more objective evaluation process. As these concerns continue to mount, residents are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and improved communication from city officials.
The City Council faces a crucial decision: will they heed the calls for change and take steps to rebuild trust with the community, or will they maintain the status quo, risking further erosion of public confidence? The future direction of Titusville’s governance hangs in the balance.
You can read the Performance Report for City Manager Scott Larese below
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