Deltona commission halts no-confidence vote, orders off-site work session on city manager

The Deltona City Commission voted 7-0 Monday to hold an off-site, publicly noticed work session to address commissioner concerns about City Manager Doc Dougherty, deferring a formal vote of no confidence.

The move came after about two hours of discussion on an item listed as a request for a vote of no confidence that had been placed on the agenda by commissioners. Commissioners and dozens of residents spoke for and against Dougherty during the regular meeting at Deltona City Hall.

The commission’s motion, made by Commissioner Nick Lully and seconded by Vice Mayor Harriot, directed the city attorney to coordinate logistics so the work session complies with open‑meeting laws and to finalize details with the city manager. The work session is intended to review performance evaluations and the policy and communications concerns raised by multiple commissioners.

Commissioner Caldwell opened the discussion by describing repeated difficulties obtaining budget and line‑item detail through public records requests and said he believed “money’s being hidden” in projects. Commissioner Howington, a supporter of the no‑confidence item, described “serious concerns” including “poor communication and repeated oversteps of authority” and said a vote of no confidence would be “appropriate and necessary.”

Multiple commissioners recommended a less‑confrontational approach. Commissioner Lully proposed a retreat‑style work session where commissioners could review their performance evaluations and discuss expectations in a less formal setting; he later moved to schedule such a session and the motion carried unanimously. Several commissioners who had expressed concerns said they did not seek termination but rather improved communication and clearer processes.

City Manager Doc Dougherty responded to critics with a summary of his administration’s work: he listed grant awards, upgrades to stormwater projects and a generator grant, staff hires and other initiatives, and told the commission he had accepted performance reviews and would participate in a work session. “I completely understand where everyone has come from tonight,” Dougherty said, and said he wanted to rebuild trust.

Public comment was strongly supportive of Dougherty: multiple city employees, residents and community leaders praised staff morale and the city’s grant success. Other residents urged stronger protections against flooding and better planning controls for development, which some speakers linked to the reason for the commissioners’ concerns.

The motion does not remove the no‑confidence item from future agendas; the city attorney told the commission they may revisit formal actions later if needed. The work session will be scheduled through the city attorney’s office and will be held under Florida’s Sunshine Laws.

The commission then proceeded to other agenda items, including an external audit presentation and votes on procurement and development measures.