Retirement Offer Accepted by 45 Employees

The Deputy City Manager in Ocala, John Zobler, is just one of the 45 different employees who have decided to accept the early retirement offer that has come from the city of Ocala. This incentive offer will cost the city nearly $797,925 worth of payouts that will be distributed to those employees who have accepted the offer. These staff members will be expected to leave their positions within the city by December, right before the beginning of the New Year.

Zobler is 55 years old and has been working for the city since February of 1999. He worked as a sanitation manager at first and eventually worked on up to the position of assistance city manager for community services. He received a promotion to his current position as deputy city manager just two years ago, back in December of 2010. With this position, he was earning an annual salary of $125,000. Zobler says he went through with the offer for personal reasons. He said, “My wife and home are in Palm Coast. I have been commuting for 10 years.” Zobler stays in the city throughout the week while he is working and then commutes over to Palm Coast during the weekends. Zobler says, “When I get there, it’s all yard work and housework, and then it’s back to work.” He is looking for a new quality of life and wants something different. Zobler also said that he does not currently have another job lined up and simply wants to be able to spend quality time with his wife and possibly travel. He feels lucky to have been able to make such a decision at this point in his life. Upon leaving the city and his position, Zobler will receive a cash payout of $20,850 from the city.

A number of other high-ranking employees have also decided to accept the incentive offer, which is part of the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. The Information Technology Director, Jeannett Benson, has been working for the city for a total of 14 years and has also decided to accept the incentive offer. Joseph Roos, the Electric Utility Director, has been working for the city for nearly 30 years. Roos decided to accept the incentive offer as well. Roos has already left his position during July and accepted the offer of $20,000 plus three years’ worth of medical coverage. Benson will not receive any medical benefits but will receive a final payout of $21,795. She is expected to leave her position at the end of December.