Royal Oak abruptly ousts city manager

Gacioch's contract ends after less than a year

Dave Boucher

Detroit Free Press USA TODAY NETWORK

Royal Oak's elected leaders abruptly ousted the city manager during a meeting Monday, Dec. 8, taking less than one minute to unanimously remove him from a role he held for less than a year.

Mayor Mike Fournier and fellow commissioners did not explain the reason for terminating Joseph Gacioch's contract as city manager. In fact, the issue was not on the city commission's published agenda until after the meeting started. They added Gacioch's removal and the appointment of his replacement to the agenda shortly after the start of Monday's meeting. They took roughly 30 seconds to approve ending the contract, voting to end it without any discussion.

In a statement, Royal Oak Communications Director Kara Sokol said: “City leaders said that they appreciate the contributions Gacioch made during his tenure and they wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

She said his last day was Monday but declined to provide any additional information about the end of Gacioch's employment, including whether they're still paying him.

“This is a personnel matter, so we aren't able to speak to additional details. We fully respect Mr. Gacioch's privacy during this transition,” Sokol said.

Gacioch did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Commissioners voted to make city attorney Niccolas Grochowski the interim city manager. He's the fifth person to have the role of interim or official Royal Oak city manager since 2020.

They also appointed Royal Oak

Police Chief Michael Moore as interim deputy city manager. Sokol said current Deputy City Manager Susan Barkman remains in her role and will “continue to oversee the areas she's been overseeing.”

Sokol confirmed Grochowski and Moore will continue serving in their separate city roles while also working in their new interim positions. She said she was not sure if they will be paid for both positions.

Gacioch came to Royal Oak as city manager in late 2024 after 13 years in a similar role for Ferndale, according to his LinkedIn page. The Royal Oak City Commission formally chose him in October 2024 and he started work in January, according to his original employment agreement.

Under this agreement, Gacioch received a $196,100 salary. For comparison, the governor of Michigan's salary is $153,900. Gacioch also received $650 a month for a “vehicle allowance,” a laptop and cellphone provided by the city and other perks, according to a public summary of his employment agreement. The contract was open-ended, meaning Gacioch tenure “rests solely in the discretion of the City Commission,” according to the agreement.

The agreement states Gacioch is owed nine months of severance about $147,000 in pay and health care coverage - unless he was fired for “just cause.” The agreement states “just cause” includes but is not limited to, “acts of insubordination, conduct unbecoming a city manager, actions which would be criminal in nature, acts of moral turpitude, gross negligence or acts of a similar nature. It will also include less serious offenses which have not been corrected through progressive steps.”

City commissioners did not publicly clarify whether they terminated the contract for just cause. Sokol also did not address this in her statement.

“The city looks forward to a smooth transition and remains committed to its mission of delivering the highestlevel services to its residents, businesses, and visitors,” she said in the emailed statement.

Gacioch took on the role after a pair of people served as interim city managers, according to the Royal Oak Times. Before that, Paul J. Brake served from May 2020 to December 2023, city records show. He left, “due to the city's and Brake's desire for a change in direction,” according to his separation agreement.

In Royal Oak, the city manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of government. The elected city commission sets city policy and priorities, and it is up to the manager to carry out their wishes.

Reach Dave Boucher at dboucher@ freepress.com and on X @Dave_Boucher1.