City Manager Headlines | 4-11-2024
SD: Sturgis voters eliminate the city manager position
The people of Sturgis, in a vote of 844 to 622, voted to eliminate the city manager position from city government. This decision will result in the city making a drastic change as they move from the mayor being a community spokesperson to now being the person who must make decisions previously the responsibility of the city manager.
And the ICMA was MIA. Can anyone show me one instance in which the ICMA engaged in this fight to protect and defend the manager-council form of government?
WA: LTE – Cathlamet Resident Supports Change to Council-Manager Form of Government
Maybe the most vaunted group in the nation that supposedly supports the city managemenet profession will take some time away from their international junkets to Saudi Arabia and do some grassroots work to promote the council-manager form of government.
FL: Palm Coast Council Hung Up Over What Kind of Search Firm It Wants for Its Next Manager
Strategic Government Resources (SGR) led the last recruitment a few years ago, but some on the council want to open it up and consider others. Interestingly, one member of the council has two priorities:
- not setting minimum education requirements, and
- ensuring that the manager is hired before the November election.
CT: Plainville officially implements 4-day workweek for town employees
The town of Plainville will officially adopt a 4-day workweek for town employees after a six-month-long pilot program.
“The pilot program proved successful in the town’s goals to retain and recruit talented employees and continue to provide high quality services to the community,” town officials said in a statement.
In Episode 26 of the City Manager Unfiltered podcast, Pennsylvania manager Jamie Gwynn talked about his efforts to introduce a 36-hour work week.
NC: Lawsuit dismissed: Judge finds Rolesville town manager did not violate rights of former police chief
Former Town Manager Kelly Arnold has been vindicated. In November 2023, under the shadow of Soto’s suit, Arnold resigned as Rolesville town manager.
MO: Group of Black KC leaders petition to rescind city manager’s new contract, alleging racism
Urban League of Greater Kansas City President Gwendolyn Grant and four other petitioners are attempting to put Platt’s 16% pay raise and contract extension on hold until after May 7 at the earliest.
The City’s legal team believes that the contract is not eligible to be placed on the ballot as a referendum before the voters.
FL: Bartow City Manager Herr asks citizens, “Do you care about Bartow?”
Bartow city manager Mike Herr painted a somewhat grim picture in a ‘State of the City’ address Tuesday during a Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Polk County Historical Center. Herr said:
“Nothing is free. People come to me and say, ‘I love Bartow.’ I said, ‘Okay. Do you care about Bartow? Do you care enough about Bartow to make a difference?’ Making a difference. There’s a price.”
OR: Milton-Freewater City Council approves contract to hire Chad Morris as city manager
Contract calls for Morris to receive a salary of $160,000 in the town of 7,000 in Eastern Oregon just south of Walla Walla, Washington. He also receive a $15,000 moving allowance.
TX: Odessa City council raises pay for City Manager John Beckmeyer
Beckmeyer, who started his job last August, will see his salary increase to $250,000 from $237,000.
VT: Putney suspends fire department operations after volunteer firefighters quit
“I’ve spoken to a number of people, many of whom have in the past been involved with the fire department as volunteers and who don’t feel particularly welcome here now,” said Fletcher Proctor, a Putney Selectboard member. “And I think that’s a really serious problem in a small town with a volunteer fire department. I believe we have to change that.”
In Episode 40 of the City Manager Unfiltered podcast, Tim Nowak addressed what he believes is the impending collapse of Fire/EMS service in America.
NC: Leland council walks back 70% tax rate increase, explores 17% instead
Anyone shocked that the residents are pissed?
You float the idea of a 70% tax increase and you are lucky the residents don’t just burn the town down.
In Memoriam/Rest in Peace
- Former Pahrump town manager Bill Kohbarger dies suddenly
- Mecklenburg County Remembers Former County Manager Gerald G. ‘Jerry’ Fox
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The nature of public service has changed dramatically, and I don’t like the growing culture of distrust, divide and polarization on our City Council. I choose my faith in God, wife, kids, and aging parents over elected office.”
Steve McShane announcing his resignation from the Salinas, California city council
