Loxahatchee Groves council votes 4–1 to terminate town manager for cause after special-counsel report

Special counsel Janika Simpson told the Town of Loxahatchee Groves council on July 21 that her investigation found the town manager, Francine Romaglia, instructed staff to delay implementing the notice requirement in Resolution 20-26-01 in a way Simpson described as "improper conduct." Simpson said interviews indicate the delay could have negatively affected a local election and that Romaglia's actions were "inconsistent with her duties and responsibility as town manager."

Vice Mayor Manish Sud moved a three-part motion to terminate Romaglia for cause effective immediately, to incorporate specific contractual grounds for cause into the written notice, and to preserve town records — including electronic communications, financial documents and FEMA records — while special counsel completes remaining work. Council records show the motion was seconded as recorded by the clerk and passed on a 4–1 roll-call vote; Council member Kane cast the lone dissent.

Simpson said the team declined to label the conduct "election interference," noting "election interference is a pretty high burden," but that the available evidence supported a finding of improper conduct that could constitute neglect of duty under the town manager's employment agreement. "In conclusion, yes, we found that the town manager acted inconsistent with her duties and responsibility as town manager," Simpson said. She also told the council that the additional interviews still pending were for separate matters and would not prevent the council from moving forward with termination.

Council members debating the motion stressed two competing concerns: the fiscal cost of potential litigation versus the public trust and ongoing payroll costs if the manager remained employed. Several council members, and multiple residents during public comment, urged immediate termination. One resident said the manager had "done a variety of things that were against her contract" and urged the council to pursue legal remedies.

Public commenters at the meeting described repeated problems they attributed to the former manager and urged the council to avoid further payouts. A commenter disputed a $100,000 litigation estimate referenced in earlier discussions, calling that figure unsupported by the record. The council acknowledged litigation risk but voted to proceed; Simpson told the body the town is "in a strong legal position" to defend a termination-for-cause decision.

Simpson also raised related concerns originating with the Palm Beach County OIG, which had identified unresolved deficiencies in the town's 2024 audit and requested documentation of corrective actions. Council members were told the town manager’s contract assigns responsibility for budget management, financial reporting and audit follow-up to that office, and Simpson said the failures discussed could fall under neglect of duty.

The council's motion included language directing that any contractual grounds for cause be documented in the written notice of termination and directing that the investigation continue; Simpson said she would finish outstanding interviews and provide a final written report. After the vote the council recessed to a workshop and directed a five-minute break for those transitioning to the next item.

The termination vote was the meeting’s principal formal action; the council also instructed staff to preserve records and allowed special counsel to complete the investigation into separate financial and FEMA-related matters.