In a decision that was both unanimous and undebated at the meeting, the Royal Oak City Commission has ended the employment agreement of City Manager Joseph Gacioch, less than a year into his tenure. The decision to part ways with Gacioch was made at Monday, City Commission meeting. However, the reasons behind his departure have not been made public.
Replacing Gacioch, at least temporarily, is City Attorney Niccolas Grochowski, who has been appointed as interim city manager. He will be supported by Police Chief Michael Moore, who will take on the role of interim deputy city manager alongside Deputy City Manager Susan Barkman, as reported in a statement by FOX 2 Detroit. Notably, no discussion preceded the vote to end Gacioch's contract during the meeting, and the agenda included the issue only after the meeting began.
According to The Detroit News, Gacioch did not respond to messages seeking comment on his departure. Gacioch's employment contract, which began in January 2025 following his approval by the commission in October 2024, included a base salary of $196,100. The contract stipulates entitlement to severance pay for up to nine months unless termination is for "just cause"—terms that can include insubordination, unbecoming conduct, criminal acts, moral turpitude, and gross negligence. It remains unclear whether he will receive this severance.
Despite the lack of clarity surrounding the reasons behind Gacioch's termination, Royal Oak officials expressed appreciation for his contributions to the community. "City leaders said that they appreciate the contributions Gacioch made during his tenure and they wish him the best in his future endeavors," Oaklandcounty115 obtained a statement from the city.
The City Commission's decision to keep the details confidential aligns with its policy of not publicly discussing personnel matters, as noted by Royal Oak Communications Director Kara Sokol in an email. She added, "We fully respect Mr. Gacioch's privacy during this transition."
The city remains focused on maintaining quality services for its residents, with the appointed interim leadership team ensuring continuity. "The City looks forward to a smooth transition and remains committed to its mission of delivering the highest-level services to its residents, businesses, and visitors," a statement from the City of Royal Oak reiterated. With Gacioch's prior managerial experience in Ferndale, his abrupt exit from Royal Oak raises questions that, for the moment, remain unanswered as the city looks ahead, as stated in The Detroit News.
