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MICHAEL ILCZYSZYN CITY MANAGER

Michael Ilczyszyn

Michael Ilczyszyn is the current City Manager for Cape Coral, Florida. He was officially appointed to the permanent role by the Cape Coral City Council on September 20, 2023, after serving as the interim city manager since February 2023.

Michael Ilczyszyn Cape Coral City Manager

CAPE CORAL POLITICS FLORIDA PALM TREES EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Michael Ilczyszyn’s 2018 Demotion

The demotion of Michael Ilczyszyn in 2018 followed an administrative investigation into an alleged consensual affair with a subordinate and a separate allegation of domestic violence from his wife. After a police investigation, there was no arrest made as a result of the domestic violence case.

Circumstances and details of the Michael Ilczyszyn 2018 demotion:

  • An administrative investigation was launched after it was revealed Michael Ilczyszyn, then assistant city manager, was having a consensual affair with a department manager. The investigation concluded this was “conduct detrimental to the City”. The department manager, Michael Ilczyszyn resigned.
  • A domestic battery complaint was made by Ilczyszyn’s then-wife in December 2017. He was placed on paid administrative leave. The State Attorney’s Office declined criminal charges, but the city’s investigation continued.
  • The investigation also found Ilczyszyn violated city procedures by attempting to order an over-budget SUV for the city manager’s office.
  • Ilczyszyn was on paid administrative leave for several months, earning approximately $53,000.
  • Following the investigation, he was demoted from assistant city manager and reassigned to a role in the Public Works department. His salary decreased from $115,000 to $112,500.
  • The investigator’s report indicated the incidents resulted in “adverse financial consequences” and may have “eroded public trust” and “damaged the City’s reputation”. 

Michael Ilczyszyn salary controversy:

Multiple salary-related issues concerning Cape Coral City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn have drawn public attention in recent years. These controversies involve his compensation package, bonuses, and handling of financial matters in previous roles.

2025 Salary Increase and Benefit Request

Following an “above-average” performance review in September 2025, Ilczyszyn’s contract was amended to give him a 7.25% pay raise. 

  • Original request: Ilczyszyn had initially asked to forego the 7.25% salary increase and instead have the amount applied to his family’s health insurance, with the balance paid as a one-time lump sum.
  • Resulting controversy: Cape Coral City Council denied his request but approved the 7.25% pay increase, raising his annual base salary from $314,204 to $336,984. 

2023 appointment and salary

When he was appointed city manager in September 2023, his compensation was a point of contention for some, especially since he was a replacement for a previously fired city manager. 

  • Salary bump: Ilczyszyn’s permanent city manager salary was set at $285,000, a significant increase from the $220,000 he was making as interim city manager. This was made retroactive to the start of his interim term.
  • Vehicle allowance: A $1,000 per month vehicle allowance is stipulated in his employment agreement.
  • Comparison to other officials: Some noted that his starting base salary was higher than that of the Lee County Manager and the Lee County School District Superintendent.
  • Dismissal of ethics complaints: In August 2024, ethics complaints were filed against several Cape Coral officials, including Ilczyszyn, regarding consent-agenda resolutions. The ethics commission dismissed the complaints as “legally insufficient”. 

2018 demotion and investigation

Years before becoming city manager, Ilczyszyn was demoted from his position as assistant city manager due to the outcome of an internal investigation. 

  • Financial misconduct: The investigation found that he violated city operating procedures by attempting to order an “unmarked SUV with special features” that was outside of the budget.
  • Paid leave: The city incurred financial losses related to the investigation and Ilczyszyn’s paid administrative leave, during which he received nearly $53,000.
  • Impact on public trust: An investigator concluded that his conduct eroded public trust in city management and damaged the city’s reputation.

Michael Ilczyszyn Domestic assault controversy:

Further Clarification: The wife of Michael Ilczyszyn sent an email alerting police about an alleged domestic assault in December 2017. At that time Cape Coral Assistant City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a domestic violence investigation. There was no arrest made in the domestic violence case. She did not file a complaint about the incident, but police were required to investigate because of state law.

City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn violated Cape Coral city procedures when he attempted to purchase a custom SUV:

According to the 2018 administrative investigation, Michael Ilczyszyn violated the City of Cape Coral’s operating and procurement procedures by attempting to order a custom, upgraded SUV for the city manager’s office that was over the approved budget.

The specific violations included:

  • Exceeding the approved budget: The vehicle Ilczyszyn tried to acquire exceeded the established price limits set by the city. The procurement process requires city staff to adhere to budget parameters, and his request was out of compliance.
  • Requesting unapproved “special features”: Ilczyszyn attempted to purchase a “black, unmarked SUV with special features” that were not included in the standard, approved specifications for city vehicles.
  • Violating department rules: The investigative report also concluded that his actions were in breach of standard department rules and operating procedures for vehicle acquisition.
  • Circumventing established procurement channels: As the assistant city manager, Ilczyszyn was attempting to push through the purchase order for the vehicle, overriding the normal procurement review process designed to ensure fair pricing and adherence to budget and specifications. 
  • Use of competitive solicitation: For purchases exceeding a certain dollar amount (over $100,000 for goods and services in Cape Coral), a competitive bidding or Request for Proposals (RFP) process is required. By attempting to unilaterally order a custom vehicle, Ilczyszyn sidestepped the competitive process that ensures transparency and the best use of taxpayer money.
  • Specification requirements: Procurement rules require specifications for items to be purchased to be clearly defined and followed, especially in competitive solicitations. Ilczyszyn’s request for unapproved “special features” violated this process, as these features were not included in the standard specifications for city vehicles.
  • Use of proper channels: The city’s procurement division is responsible for handling all requests and administering contracts to ensure a fair and equitable process. As assistant city manager, Michael Ilczyszyn improperly used his authority to try and override the normal procurement review process rather than going through the established channels. 

Michael Ilczyszyn told the investigator that he did not realize his request was out of line or over budget. However, the investigator concluded that Michael Ilczyszyn’s actions were detrimental to the city’s interests.

As City Manager of Cape Coral, Michael Ilczyszyn is a key figure in the UEP, Utilities Extension PROJECT

UEP – UTILITIES EXTENTION PROJECT

The Cape Coral UEP, Utilities Extension Project project is designed to provide city water, sewer, and irrigation to areas of the city still on wells and septic tanks. He has actively led efforts to secure funding and accelerate the project’s timeline to address the city’s water infrastructure needs. 

Ilczyszyn’s UEP involvement and latest updates:

  • Grant funding: In May 2024, Michael Ilczyszyn announced that the city secured a $25 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the North 1 portion of the UEP. This grant is expected to reduce assessments for homeowners in that area by up to $2,400.
  • Budget proposal: Ilczyszyn’s proposed FY2026 budget, released in August 2025, allocates $139.7 million for the North 3 UEP, as well as significant funds for other utility infrastructure, such as the water reclamation facility.
  • Project acceleration: In February 2025, in response to a severe water shortage, Ilczyszyn and the city council accelerated the construction schedule for the North 6 UEP by five years. The boundaries of the project were also expanded to include more properties. This was done to connect more residents to the city’s water supply and preserve the aquifer.
  • Addressing water shortages: In May 2025, Ilczyszyn noted that the city “ran out of cheap water” and has been working to shore up the city’s irrigation water supply. This includes the fast-tracking of UEP construction to connect more properties to the city system, which uses a different water source than private wells.

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