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Clearwater's city attorney announces resignation; council sets Feb. 9 final date and discusses severance
Summary
City Attorney David Margolis submitted notice of resignation and a transition plan; council members discussed three options (honor his April exit plan with leave, accept a Feb. 9 final date and trigger severance, or set an alternate date) and gave direction to accept Feb. 9 as his final working day and to proceed administratively with HR to fulfill severance/leave entitlements.
City Attorney David Margolis submitted formal notice of resignation and presented council with a transition option at the Jan. 12 meeting.
Margolis's letter proposed remaining on payroll through April 13, 2026 but being on general leave from Feb. 11 through April 13 while an acting city attorney would be designated to provide day-to-day legal services. He said legal work of substance should be done by a currently employed city attorney while he remained available for background information.
Council members discussed three approaches: accept Margolis' proposed timeline; make his resignation effective Feb. 9 and trigger the contract's severance provisions; or set a different final date. Tiffany Macris, HR director, said a severance payment (if triggered) would be 20 weeks' salary plus payment for accumulated unused general leave; a rough estimate provided on the record put the combined cash-equivalent near $175,000.
After discussion about continuity, conflicts of interest, and the practical needs of the legal office, council directed staff to treat Margolis' resignation as effective Feb. 9 and to proceed administratively with compensation and human-resources processes consistent with council direction, including arranging an acting/interim city attorney appointment and any required documentation to support vendor or external stakeholder confidence in legal representation.
Margolis confirmed he will be available to answer questions and provide background information but noted he could not ethically perform substantial legal work if he is no longer on payroll; he also reiterated the council's right under the charter to retain outside counsel if members want independent legal review.
