Commission Approves Contract for Next City Manager Michelle del Valle

Randy Knight will retire from the post in January after 19 years in the role

July 9, 2026

By Beth Kassab

The City Commission this week quietly approved the contract for Michelle del Valle to take over as city manager when Randy Knight retires early next year.

The city will pay del Valle $290,000 a year plus benefits including a $775 monthly car allowance and memberships to two civic organizations or other clubs of her choosing, according to the contract approved without discussion as part of the commission’s consent agenda on Wednesday.

Knight, who has a similar contract, is projected to earn $294,000 a year by the time he leaves the post in January after 19 years in the role and more than 30 years with the city.

Commissioners voted unanimously in April to name del Valle, who has served as assistant city manager since 2008, as his successor. She is projected to earn $263,665 in her current job.

Winter Park has a city manager form of government, which means the person in that job sets the tone and oversees every department — from the $247 million budget to parks to police and fire rescue — helming more than 500 employees. The elected commissioners set policy, but the manager is responsible for overseeing the execution of that policy.

Del Valle is slated to take over the top role in January.

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