Sharon Lynn leaving post as Rehoboth Beach city manager

Rehoboth Beach City Manager Sharon Lynn announced March 1 that she is stepping down from her position.

Lynn took over as city manager in January 2014. According to a press release from the city, her final day will be Friday, May 6.

“It’s been a true honor to serve the City of Rehoboth Beach community,” said Lynn in a prepared statement. “While we have achieved much in the eight years I’ve worked for Rehoboth, I am perhaps most proud of the staff that I’ve hired and promoted. I feel certain that the next person to assume the city manager position will find a well-oiled machine in place.”

Mayor Stan Mills, a city commissioner at the time, said Lynn towered over the other applicants for the position during the city’s search. In her eight years, Lynn successfully ushered the city into the 21st century, he said.

“I thought then, and I still believe today, that we would be fortunate to have such a strong professional lead our team. Sharon has consistently demonstrated professionalism, and often innovation, in her approach to staffing and budgeting,” said Mills in a prepared statement.

In an email March 2, Mills said Lynn’s desire to resign from her position as city manager was news to him.

“Sharon’s decision to leave her position is strictly her own personal one,” he said.

In August 2019, commissioners approved an increase to Lynn’s severance pay from three months to 12 months. The city charter requires at least three months’ severance pay.

Lynn’s current annual salary is $141,250. Mills said Lynn will not be due any severance pay.

Lynn is a Philadelphia native who spent the first two decades of her professional career in policing. Prior to Rehoboth, Lynn was the municipal manager in West Goshen Township, Pa., and then was town manager in Provincetown, Mass.

Lynn oversaw the construction of the ocean outfall and the new city hall along with upgrades to the city’s infrastructure and technology, and she introduced new accounting/financial software.

Lynn also implemented a fully developed, five-year capital improvement program and was part of the team that was recognized in 2021 with a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. In 2018, Lynn was named City Manager of the Year by the Delaware League of Local Governments. She also has received credentialed manager designation from the International City/County Management Association.

City commissioners have scheduled an executive session  for Tuesday, March 8, to discuss the plan moving forward.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information related to Lynn’s severance package.