Today’s newsletter is chock full of interesting stories and news about city managers across the country.
We have a payroll manager who got creative and allegedly stole $500,000 to fund her horse empire a la Rita Crundwell from “All the Queen’s Horses” notoriety. We spotlight five city managers who received various awards and honors. And a city in Florida has lost 50 years of institutional knowledge in the last six months. Find out why the finance director abruptly quit.
All that and more news after the job postings.
Job Board Postings
It is free to post all of your senior and executive level recruitments over at the AAME job board. If you would like to include them in this newsletter, select the $199 option.
City/County Manager Recruitments
CO: Craig - City Manager (Until Filled) | in-house
IL: Streator - City Manager (3/23/2026) | Arndt Municipal Support
MO: Kirkwood - Chief Administrative Officer (3/6/2026) | CB-Assoc
SC: Blythewood - Town Manager (Until Filled) | Parker Poe Consulting
TX: Morgan’s Point Resort - City Manager (3/13/2026) | Clear Career
Other
IL: Village of St. Joseph - Public Works Director (2/23/2026) | in-house
PA: Cranberry Township - Director of Utilities (2/9/2026) | in-house
TX: Dumas - Finance Director (1/30/2025) | Clear Career
TX: Marble Falls - Finance Director (2/7/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Odessa - Chief Financial Officer (First Review 2/22/2026) | Clear Career
GA: Former payroll manager sentenced for embezzling more than $500K from Troup County
Many of you have watched the documentary “All the Queen’s Horses” about Dixon, Illinois comptroller Rita Crundwell who stole more than $50 million and used the funds to finance her equestrian empire.
Well, she has a mini-me imposter down in Georgia who stole money to buy horses, horse trailers, and pay for rodeo competitions. You should read the article to see how she worked the system and make sure you have controls in place to protect your organization from such a scheme.
OH: Oregon’s Interim Administrator Begs Off of Permanent Post
Public Service Director Paul Roman, who is acting city administrator, believes he could perform the duties as the permanent administrator but has no interest in the job.
“I know I can do it, but I’ve never had any interest in it. I would prefer not to do it at this point in my career. I don’t mind being an acting administrator. As public service director, I get just as involved in what the administrator does. As an engineer, I like engineering emergencies, without the politics.”
The recruitment is being done in-house and the posted deadline for applications is February 27th.
FL: "I didn't want to resign. I left for my own moral and ethical well-being."
The City of Stuart has lost more than 50 years of institutional knowledge and experience at City Hall in the last six months. First, they ousted city manager Mike Mortell in October and I spotlighted the situation in Episode 134 of the City Manager Unfiltered podcast.
Then they demoted Louis Boglioli, the interim city manager, back to his role as the finance director after praising his performance as the interim. Then he abruptly quit. The article states he was “asked to take actions that were illegal, immoral and unethical, which he refused to do.”
City Managers Recently Recognized for Their Excellence
AZ: Flagstaff City Manager Joanne Keene received the 2026 ATHENA Award. The ATHENA® International Leadership Awards program is a prestigious initiative that recognizes and honors individual women for their outstanding achievements and contributions in leadership, mentorship, and community service.
CA: Elk Grove City Manager Jason Behrmann has been awarded the League of California Cities’ Wes McClure Award of Distinction, one of the highest honors in local government, recognizing exceptional leadership, integrity, innovation and service.
CA: The California City Management Foundation (CCMF) honored Temecula City Manager Aaron Adams as the recipient of the 2026 City Manager of the Year Award
CA: Westminster City Manager Christine Cordon has been awarded the 2025 Ethical Hero Award by the California Affiliate of the International City/County Management Association (Cal-ICMA) for her commitment to ethical leadership and public service
TX: San Marcos City Manager Stephanie Reyes has been awarded the Texas City Management Association Mentoring Award, a statewide honor recognizing exceptional commitment to developing future leaders in local government.
News Around the Country
AL: The city of Homewood has officially hired Cale Smith as the first permanent city manager in the city’s 100-year history
CA: Napa appoints public works director as second assistant city manager
CA: Deputy City Manager Megan MacPherson Scheid has announced her intent to retire in May after nearly two decades of service to the City of Roseville
FL: Court documents detail allegations in former Quincy city manager case
IA: Former city administrator sues city of Red Oak, officials alleging sex discrimination, wage discrimination, retaliation under Iowa Civil Rights Act
IL: DeKalb County hired a new county administrator, the conclusion of a 19-month search after predecessor Brian Gregory left and a new hire walked away before starting the role
MO: Columbia City Manager De'Carlon Seewood is set to propose a new communications department to the city council with the goal being to improve transparency, public engagement and consistency in how the city shares information
NC: Chadbourn town manager, town attorney announce plans to resign within days of each other
NJ: Tech Troubles Cost Montclair $2.3 Million After Multiple Outages
NM: A man with two hats: Joe Chavez, Socorro County Manager, is also the mayor of Peralta
OK: Lawton city manager given latitude to resolve property liens
PA: Clearfield Borough manager Julie Brooks submitted her resignation to the borough council — she was hired in August of 2025. Council also just filled five vacancies so it is a very unstable place at the moment.
TX: Repairs to fix Dallas City Hall could cost up to $1.1 billion, the city says
CANADA: St. John’s Deputy City Manager Derek Coffey elevated to top post
Compensation & Contracts
PA: Chris Frye’s contract extended in New Castle, salary is $113,000 for 2026