Michelle Delaney, South Lake Tablet
The City of Groveland was met with unexpected news on Friday morning, when City Manager Michael Hein announced he has offered his resignation after eight years in the role.
In a message to city staff dated Friday, February 13, Hein described the decision as anything but easy.
“I want to share that I have made the difficult decision to offer my resignation as Groveland’s City Manager,” Hein wrote. “‘Difficult’ may be an understatement.”
While Hein’s message reflected pride in the accomplishments achieved during his tenure, it did not specify the reasons behind his departure—leaving many in the community asking: Why now? What prompted the decision after nearly a decade of leadership? And what comes next for the rapidly growing city?
Hein pointed to what he characterized as significant progress during his time with the city.
“Since I began my role eight years ago, we’ve made some incredible changes, course-corrections and transformations that have made our city stronger and more resilient,” he wrote. “Together, we’ve achieved what other cities have only dreamed about.”
Among the highlights Hein cited were the creation of higher-paying local jobs through more than four million square feet of commercial development, the establishment of public-private partnerships to support Groveland’s expanding population, and the securing of substantial grant funding to offset costs for residents.
“I’ll share how we created local, higher-paying jobs by securing more than four million square feet in commercial development,” Hein stated. “I’ll describe the public and private partnerships we developed to support our ever-expanding community. I’ll talk about how much grant money we secured to help offset costs our citizens would have otherwise had to pay.”
He also referenced the advancement of the long-awaited bypass project, calling it an innovative step that laid groundwork for the city’s future, and praised Groveland’s public safety services as “one of the best public safety departments in the country.”
Beyond projects and metrics, Hein’s emotional farewell carried a personal tone.
“But beyond our accomplishments, I’ll talk most about the people of Groveland, including all of you,” he wrote to city staff. “You’ve welcomed me, worked with me, challenged me and frankly made me a better administrator.”
Hein expressed appreciation for the community’s character, noting the “beautiful sunsets,” rural landscape and “kind words from neighbors” that shaped his experience.
“I’ve come to love and cherish our wonderful little community and even on the toughest days, I’ve never failed to appreciate our beautiful sunsets, our rural settings, kind words from neighbors and those I will forever call friends,” he wrote.
Hein indicated that department meetings would be held to allow staff to ask questions of the senior leadership team, which will continue managing the city’s operations until the City Council determines its next course of action.
“Shortly, you’ll have the chance to meet with your departments and ask questions of your senior leadership team, who will continue to manage the city until the council decides on a course of action,” Hein stated.
He emphasized that his resignation should not overshadow the ongoing work of city employees.
“Remember, this small decision doesn’t change the very large contributions you make every day,” he wrote. “Continue to do everything possible to make Groveland the City With Natural Charm.”
As Groveland moves forward, residents and stakeholders are likely to seek clarity about the timing and circumstances of Hein’s resignation. Was the decision driven by personal considerations, professional opportunities, policy differences, or broader strategic changes? For now, those questions remain unanswered.
City Council members have not yet publicly announced a timeline for accepting the resignation or beginning the search for Groveland’s next city manager.
For many, Hein’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in the city’s recent history—one defined by rapid growth, infrastructure expansion and evolving community identity.
