A Michigan city manager was cleared of allegations after an independent investigation by a law firm. Now his council has ordered another “independent” investigation.
Two city managers were arrested on DUI charges — with one being arrested for the second time in 9 months.
Two executives quit just six months into their tenure.
And after resigning in January, a New Hampshire executives has resigned again.
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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
AR: Fort Smith - City Administrator (6/5/2026) | Colin Baenziger
FL: Juno Beach - Town Manager (5/22/2026) | Colin Baenziger
KS: Ellsworth - City Administrator (6/1/2026 and Open Until Filled) in-house
TX: Caldwell - City Administrator (6/5/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Los Fresnos - City Manager (6/19/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Victoria - Deputy City Manager (5/22/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Waco - Assistant City Manager (5/20/2026) | Mackenzie Eason
Other
IL: Village of St. Joseph - Public Works Director (Until Filled) | in-house
NM: Ruidoso - Economic Development Director (5/6/2026) | Clear Career
NM: Ruidoso - Finance Director (5/6/2026) | Clear Career
NM: Ruidoso - Water Resource Director (5/6/2026) | Clear Career
SC: Charleston - Chief Information Officer (5/22/2026) | Colin Baenziger
SC: Charleston - Section Chief of Planning, Permitting & Engineering (5/29/2026) | Colin Baenziger
TX: Lufkin - City Engineer (Extended - 5/19/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Odessa - Assistant City Attorney (5/10/2026) | Clear Career
MI: East Lansing Manager Facing Double Jeopardy
East Lansing City Manager Robert Belleman has been placed on paid administrative leave in what has been a whirlwind week or so.
On May 21st, we shared the news that a grants coordinator had claimed sexual harassment and verbal abuse by Belleman. Last week at a special meeting, a report from an independent investigation conducted in November was released. It did not support these allegations.
Apparently, members of the audience boo’ed the release and/or findings of the report.
Now, it appears a second investigation will now be conducted by a second law firm. It is disconcerting to see a city manager face double jeopardy on this issue and I think many have to wonder how independent and fair the second investigation will be.
Why can’t Maine towns and cities hold on to their managers?
A local newspaper dissects the massive turnover in executive leadership plaguing local governments in Maine.
News Around the Country
AL: Former sheriff’s office manager allegedly stole more than $310,000 from Mobile County
CA: Gustavo Romo, the deputy city manager in Beaumont, has been tapped to lead Coachella
CO: Former Granby assistant town manager Nicole Schafer has filed a formal notice of intent to sue the town, alleging wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination and damage to her professional reputation following her dismissal in October 2025
CO: Paonia Administrator Wynn Opts Out of Contract Renewal — Trustees Seek Interim
FL: Palm Beach officials give town manager more leeway to OK expenditures up to $150,000 and $250,000 depending upon type
GA: Almost a year after Columbus city council voted to remove Isaiah Hugley as city manager, Mayor Skip Henderson nominated former councilor and business executive Tyson Begly to serve as the city’s next city manager
GA: The city of Nashville city manager was cited for driving under the influence
MI: Deputy City Manager Rebekah Kik resigns from City of Kalamazoo
MN: Willmar Council being asked to amend motion regarding city administrator who is on unpaid administrative leave
NH: Chichester town administrator resigns again for the second time this year
NJ: Only Six Months Into the Job, Roxbury Township Manager Announces He's Leaving
NY: Newburgh’s deputy city manager resigns weeks after city manager departed
OK: Bixby city manager’s aggravated DUI arrest is second in nine months
PA: Deputy Allegheny County manager resigns after only 6 months on the job
TX: Bexar ‘had no idea’ budget deficit was coming, county manager says
VA: The Urbanna Town Council voted to terminate the town administrator’s amended employment agreement without cause
Contracts & Compensation
IL: Bloomington city manager receives 3.5% salary increase
IL: Des Plaines City Manager In Line For Salary Hike To $299,370
ME: Amie Hendrix gets 5-year deal as Kittery manager. Here's salary, details.
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