Troy City Manager John Szerlag Signs Contract with Cape Coral, FL

Troy City Manager John Szerlag has signed a contract with the City of Cape Coral, FL, to take over as its new city manager, and Cape Coral City Council voted 7-1 Monday night to approve the contract during its regularly scheduled meeting.

"I think there is a challenge that awaits me, and I want to help the city of Cape Coral," Szerlag said in a , adding that he wants to help the the town achieve economic sustainability. "I see a culture of professionalism there."

Szerlag has already signed the three-year contract, which includes a $650/month automobile allowance, a housing allowance for up to 18 months or until he sells his home in Troy and a city-owned cellular phone. Szerlag will also be allowed to teach part time with council's permission.

Szerlag last month – less than three months after Troy Mayor Janice Daniels said she has "no confidence in our City Manager's ability to continue to perform the duties granted to him in this position." Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson later .

Szerlag was first hired in Troy in 1989 as an assistant city manager. The city promoted him to city manager in 1999. In 2006, he left Troy for a city manager position in Florida but returned in 2009.

Szerlag could not be reached for comment Monday.