The city of Apopka has temporarily paused hiring for most vacant positions through Oct. 1 while officials review staffing and the structure of city government. 

Mayor Nick Nesta announced the hiring pause Tuesday, according to a public notice the city posted to Facebook on Wednesday. 

The city said the pause is part of a broader review of how city government is structured and how employees and departments can best serve the growing community. 

“The goal is not simply to add positions or eliminate positions. The goal is to build the right structure,” Nesta said in a statement shared with city employees and included in the notice. 

In a separate statement provided to The Apopka Chief on Friday, Nesta said the pause followed months of reviewing the city’s organizational structure and cited problems with accountability and oversight. 

“The lack of a clear organizational structure, accountability and oversight has created silos throughout the City,” Nesta said. “Decisions have been made without the proper checks and balances.” 

Nesta said projects have begun without clear ownership, and money has been spent in areas where policies were not always clear. 

“The hiring freeze gives the Mayor’s Office time to take a closer look at how our government is structured and make the changes needed to operate more efficiently, with better accountability and oversight,” Nesta said. “This is not business as usual. The days of Wild West decision-making are over.” 

Over the coming weeks, the city will review vacant positions, departmental responsibilities, leadership and reporting structures to determine whether employees, resources and responsibilities are appropriately placed, according to the notice. 

“This is also about being responsible with taxpayer dollars,” the notice said. “Before filling positions, we want to make sure each role fits into a modern, efficient organizational structure that supports both our employees and the residents they serve.” 

Steven Montiero, city public information director, confirmed Friday that the hiring pause is scheduled to end Oct. 1.Montiero said the hiring pause has nothing to do with the budget or other fiscal concerns.  

The city said residents who have already applied for vacant positions will have to wait while the review is underway, with the exception of applicants for the community development director position.  

Nesta said the city has good employees but needs to ensure the appropriate organizational structure is in place to allow them to succeed.