Fort Myers city manager submits letter of retirement effective May 2021

The City of Fort Myers will see changes in leadership, as the city manager has formally announced he will leave his position.

Mayor Kevin Anderson confirmed Wednesday City Manager Saeed Kazemi submitted a letter of retirement to the city, which will be effective May 3, 2021.

MORE: Saeed Kazemi’s retirement letter to Fort Myers mayor and city council

Kazemi’s announcement of his planned retirement comes after the mayor confirmed he asked the city manager to resign in November, citing concerns in Kazemi’s ability to continue in his role.

“It’s a matter of having confidence and there being credibility and the communication being there,” Mayor Anderson said.

The newly-elected mayor would not answer any other specific questions other than to respond by saying he has big plans for the city. That includes building the Midtown neighborhood just south of the downtown area.

Anderson told us he was willing to fight for a new manager.

“I’m relieved that we don’t have to have a public battle over this,” Anderson said. “I don’t think that’s good for the city.”

Kazemi has served Fort Myers for 20 years and was hired as city manager in 2016. We reached out to him for comment and have not received a response yet.