Dana O’Connor
Key Points
- The Apopka City Commission will consider ratifying four department director appointments, including a CFO and a new human resources director, on Friday.
- Zandra Balkcom will be appointed human resources director with a $180,000 salary starting Nov. 6, succeeding Joseph Patton who resigned effective Nov. 30.
- Marcel Lee will become CFO with a $210,000 salary starting Nov. 23, overseeing finance and reporting directly to Mayor Nick Nesta.
The Apopka City Commission will hold a special meeting Friday to consider ratifying four department director appointments, including a chief financial officer and a new human resources director.
According to the meeting agenda, Mayor Nick Nesta will seek ratification of Zandra Balkcom as human resources director, Marcel Lee as chief financial officer, interim Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Edwards as permanent director, and current Information Technology Director Robert Hippler in his existing position.
The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of Apopka City Hall, 120 E. Main St. Balkcom, currently the city’s human resources administrator, would succeed Joseph Patton, whose resignation was confirmed Oct. 29 by city spokesperson Steve Montiero.
An Oct. 29 offer letter signed by Balkcom and Nesta lists her annual starting salary at $180,000 and her anticipated start date as Nov. 6, subject to background checks and City Commission ratification.
According to her résumé included in the agenda packet, Balkcom has worked for the city since July 2021. She served as a human resources specialist II until April 2024, when she became human resources administrator. She has more than 20 years of human resources experience, including previous positions with CareerSource Central Florida, Valencia College and Sherwin-Williams, according to her résumé.
Lee, the proposed chief financial officer, would receive an annual starting salary of $210,000, according to his Oct. 29 offer letter. His anticipated start date is Nov. 23, subject to employment conditions and commission ratification.
Lee’s résumé lists more than 20 years of experience in accounting, financial planning and business operations, including leadership positions with Fidelity National Information Services. The proposed chief financial officer position is part of Nesta’s City Hall reorganization, which he publicly presented during a Sept. 28 town hall.
According to the position description included in the agenda packet, the CFO would oversee the finance department and report directly to the mayor.
Edwards currently serves as interim parks and recreation director. She has held an interim leadership role since at least July 2025, according to previous coverage by The Apopka Chief. A city financial report also identified her as recreation office supervisor in 2018.
Hippler has served as the city’s information technology director since at least the 2017-18 fiscal year, according to city budget records. The agenda packet does not explain why his existing appointment is being presented for ratification.
In September, Nesta dismissed Interim City Administrator Radley Williams and Finance Director Blanche Sherman. Patton subsequently submitted his resignation, which takes effect Nov. 30, according to a separation agreement signed Oct. 26.
The City Commission must ratify department head appointments under the city charter.
The special meeting will be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel.