Photo by Teresa Sargeant
Key Points
- The Apopka City Commission unanimously ratified four new department directors, including Zandra Balkcom as HR director and Marcel Lee as CFO, on Friday.
- Marcel Lee, appointed CFO with a $210,000 salary, possesses a private-sector finance background.
- Robert Hippler's IT director appointment was formalized after over a decade of service, and Cynthia Edwards highlighted parks' role in community connection.
The Apopka City Commission unanimously ratified four department directors Friday during a special meeting, including a new human resources director and chief financial officer, as Mayor Nick Nesta continues reorganizing City Hall leadership.
The commission approved Zandra Balkcom as human resources director, Marcel Lee as chief financial officer, Cynthia Edwards as parks and recreation director and Robert Hippler as information technology director. Nesta made the motion, which Commissioner Sam Ruth seconded.
Before the vote, Commissioner Nadia Anderson questioned Lee’s qualifications, citing his lack of government accounting experience and asking whether he was a certified public accountant.
“Government accounting is different,” Anderson said, also asking whether he planned to pursue training or mentorship. “With not having any government experience, that does actually bother me a lot.”
Lee acknowledged that he had never worked for a government agency and was not a CPA but highlighted his experience managing finances in the private sector.
“Government accounting is somewhat different from corporate accounting,” Lee said. “However, I’ve accounted for businesses, billion-dollar businesses, and at the end of the day, we’re talking about dollar and cents, whether we’re doing it for government or corporate.”
Nesta defended his selection of Lee, saying he wanted a CFO with private-sector experience who could help the city plan financially for future growth.
Commissioner Yesenia Baron questioned Lee about the potential financial effects of Amendment 3, which voters approved Tuesday to increase Florida’s homestead property tax exemption, and how he would maintain city services amid potentially reduced property tax revenue.
Lee said the amendment would require difficult budget discussions, decisions and cuts. He pledged to present commissioners with a plan shortly after assuming his position.
Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez noted that the city still lacked information about the amendment’s specific financial effects.
Hippler, who has served as IT director for more than a decade, described his career with the city, beginning in 1993 with the Apopka Police Department.
He said he moved into an IT supervisory role in 2010 and became interim IT director in 2015 under former Mayor Joe Kilsheimer’s administration. He was appointed permanent director approximately three months later.
Hippler praised the six employees on his IT staff, which he said helps maintain the city’s operations.
“I’ve got an amazing staff right now of myself and six others that run every operation within the city, and we do it well,” Hippler said. “I hope to continue on into Mayor Nesta’s career.”
Nesta explained that a review of commission records found no documentation that Hippler’s appointment had previously been ratified. Friday’s vote formalized his appointment under the city charter.
Baron asked Hippler what he considered the highlight of his career.
“Surviving four mayorships,” Hippler replied.
Edwards, who previously served as interim parks and recreation director, spoke about her nearly 15 years with the city and the department’s role in connecting residents through recreation programs and community activities.
“We create spaces and opportunities where people can come together through every season of their life,” Edwards said.
Balkcom, previously the city’s human resources administrator, emphasized employee relations and creating a supportive workplace.
“Human resources is more than policies, procedures, and regulations. It’s all about people, which I love,” Balkcom said.
Balkcom succeeds Joseph Patton, whose resignation takes effect Nov. 30.
According to their Oct. 29 offer letters, Balkcom’s annual starting salary is $180,000, while Lee’s is $210,000. Lee’s anticipated start date is Nov. 23.
During public comment, some residents expressed support for the appointments while others questioned the transparency of the selection process, including how candidates were recruited and evaluated.
The appointments follow Nesta’s September dismissals of Interim City Administrator Radley Williams and Finance Director Blanche Sherman.