Woodhaven City Administrator Resigns, Cites Retaliation and Communication Issues
Woodhaven City Administrator Jeff Harris is resigning effective August 19, citing retaliation by Mayor Patricia Odette, communication breakdowns, and fallout from an investigation into allegations against both of them. Mayor Odette, through her attorney, denies any retaliation and states she…
Detroit, MI, August 14, 2026 —
Woodhaven City Administrator Jeff Harris announced his resignation, which will be effective August 19. In his resignation letter, Harris cited retaliation by Mayor Patricia Odette, ongoing communication breakdowns, and the repercussions from an investigation into allegations against both officials as his reasons for leaving.
Harris stated that he experienced retaliation from Mayor Odette. He also pointed to significant communication issues within the city administration as a contributing factor to his decision. Furthermore, the fallout from a recent investigation, which involved allegations against both Harris and Mayor Odette, was also cited as a reason for his departure.
Mayor Patricia Odette, through her attorney, has issued a response denying Harris’s claims of retaliation. The Mayor’s office stated that Mayor Odette responded to all communications directed to her by Mr. Harris.
The specific details of the allegations investigated, the nature of the alleged retaliation, and the extent of the communication breakdowns were not fully detailed in the provided information. The departure of a City Administrator often signals significant shifts in local government operations and dynamics.
The effective date of Harris’s resignation is August 19. Further information regarding the transition of his duties and the process for selecting a new City Administrator has not yet been released.
Story summarized from the original created by Noelle Friel, Mondrae Murphy on www.clickondetroit.com, see more information here.
