Lakeland city manager Doug Thomas has turned in his resignation.
He will stay on the job until mid-September and then work for a local consulting firm. Thomas hasn't identified the consulting firm yet.
Thomas spent most of his 12-year tenure with the city out of the spotlight. That all changed in 2013 when a sex scandal erupted at the police department. Thomas resisted calls for him to fire controversial police chief Lisa Womack. Womack later resigned.
Thomas said Wednesday that he handled a very difficult situation properly.
"I did what I thought was in the best interest of this city. I did what I thought was the most ethical decisions that I could make under those circumstances," he said.
Thomas said he enjoyed the challenges of running city government.
"That part I won't necessarily miss. Being second-guessed on every single question or decision that you make," he said.
Some business leaders have complained about what they saw as a slow-to-respond city hall. They have formed a group that they say will try to get voters to approve a change in the form of city government. They want to go to a strong mayor form of government.
Under that style, an elected mayor would actually run city government, not a manager appointed by the city commission. The group backing that idea said Thomas' resignation doesn't change their plans.
Deputy city manager Tony Delgado will be the interim city manager when Thomas steps down. He is seen as a likely permanent successor to Thomas.
Delgado hopes to address the concerns of the business community.
"I think the organization has done a very good job,” he said. “But every organization can get better. It's my belief there are opportunities to get better in that."