Seemingly innocuous decisions or those that don’t even register with significant allocation of mental resources can cause headaches for city managers and their electeds.
A former town manager embroiled in a major scandal has been accused of manipulating financial data by at least one councilmember.
And I ran into an interesting quote attributed to a professional soccer coach that I think is worth sharing in today’s issue.
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NC: Cary council member says former town manager removed fund balance data from council update
The scrutiny of former Cary Town Manager Sean Stegall continues. A recently released state audit showed that Cary fell below the minimum threshold for its reserves in 2023 and 2024 — but none of the electeds were informed.
"I learned recently that the fund balance dip information was included by staff on a slide for one of the corresponding quarterly updates, and the former town manager moved it out of the deck during the pre-meeting review, " Cary Council Member Carissa Kohn-Johnson wrote in an email to WRAL on Friday.
Quote By Professional Soccer Manager Caught My Attention
In talking about last year’s success, Chatham Town Football Manager Kevin Hake said the following:
“Nothing we achieved last year earns us a single point this season. We have to go out and earn everything again.”
I think that resonated with me because it seems like the margin for error in this profession has shrunken considerably over the years. While it is still possible to acquire a reservoir of goodwill in some places, there does seem to be a pendulum swing more towards the “What have you done for me lately?” side of the coin.
Just a reminder that you cannot rest on your laurels and an ancillary point — I think city managers by and large do a terrible job of trumpeting their successes and reminding their electeds of what they have done or fear taking credit for wins lest they be seen as self-promoting.
By the way — this may be the first and last time I mention soccer in this newsletter.
The “Little Things” About This Job Never Cease to Amaze Me
The Scotts Valley City Council faced a backlash for prematurely removing high school senior year banners. The decision was made by the city manager who coincidentally has also announced her resignation.
Most of the banners featuring seniors were taken down about 3 weeks early — about a month after they graduated. They were up for about 70 days and replaced by banners celebrating the city’s 60th anniversary.
But come on man — every knows 60 years ain’t a big milestone! I am repeatedly reminded about how seemingly minor things can really draw a response from the public while they remain silent and disengaged on far more consequential matters.
News Around the Country
CA:
CT: Over $33,000 Spent: Mansfield Town Manager investigation has big cost
FL: Jennifer Jorgensen, the City of Sarasota’s director of governmental affairs, has been appointed deputy city manager
MI: Former Elsie Village manager charged with embezzlement
NC: East Spencer bids farewell to first town manager who was hired in 2021
NC: Jacksonville city manager gets 9% pay raise, city attorney pay jumps 30%
NC: Shallotte town manager to retire at the end of 2026
SC: Irmo will ask voters to change to a council-manager form of government in November
TN: Cookeville Community Development Director named assistant city manager
TX: Comal County Administrator Tom Hornseth announces retirement following more than 30 years of service
TX: Lago Vista City Manager Charles West leaving after a year to become city administrator in Caldwell
TX: Los Fresnos appoints Roberto Baez as city manager; served in various roles in Brownsville
TX: City of Manvel Appoints Jaclyn George as Assistant City Manager
TX: City of Victoria adds deputy city manager position with hiring of June Ellis
UT: Wasatch County considers establishing finance department
VA: Purcellville Halts Payments to Town Manager After Year of Paid Leave; Was Arrested in 2025
WI: Bellevue Village Administrator and former Oshkosh Assistant Planner Benjamin Krumenauer returning to Oshkosh to take senior role
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