This morning a judge in Florida will hear my motion to have the felony charges against me dismissed due to vindictive prosecution. You can read that motion here and I will update you in tomorrow’s newsletter.
In today’s news, we have a police chief and town manager battling it out over a podcast and a county administrator finalist battling it out during contract negotiations over a severance clause.
A town in Oregon is in disarray and a Texas manager is suing his former police chief — who had him arrested.
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City/County Manager Recruitments
FL: Montverde - Town Manager (7/3/2026) | Colin Baenziger
FL: Orange Park - Town Manager (7/17/2026) Colin Baenziger
TX: Caldwell - City Administrator (Until Filled) | Clear Career
TX: Denison - City Manager (7/17/2026) | Clear Career
TX: La Marque - City Manager (6/26/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Los Fresnos - City Manager (6/19/2026) | Clear Career
Other
MI: Berrien County administrator candidate rejects position over severance clause contract negotiation impasse
The finalist for the Berrien County administrator vacancy told them to go pound sand after they refused to give him the severance terms he demanded. Greg Vlietstra is the CAO of the Central County Transportation Authority in Kalamazoo.
Board Chairman Mac Elliott said they typically offer a 6-month severance but that Vliestra was demanding something beyond that.
Good for Vliestra. I have stated time and time again — that far too few negotiations ever reach an impasse and that executives should be more demanding and hold the line on important contractual terms, especially severance clauses.
NC: Police Chief Quits After Town Manager Pulls Plug on Her Podcast
"The podcast was probably the catalyst to everything. When you start taking away from the people. That bothers me because this was all they had, for the first time in which brings I think it was something positive"
Red Springs Town Manager Shanelle Harris says Hurtt did not get permission to start the podcast per city policy.
TX: Rio Hondo city administrator files lawsuit over false arrest
Rio Hondo City Administrator Ben Medina claims in a federal lawsuit that former Police Chief William Bilokury arrested him without probable cause and his sergeant “lied” in affidavits used to obtain search warrants against him.
The controversy centers around allegations that Medina had illegally recorded a municipal court proceeding. Medina was arrested on felony charges that were ultimately dismissed.
OR: Bandon City Council approves Separation Agreement with City Manager Torrey Contreras
Lots of turmoil and tension in Bandon as they have now officially parted ways with Torrey Contreras.
A highly credible source tells me that the city fired their last two planners last week and that the public works director announced his resignation, too. On top of that, the former city manager, Don Chandler, is reportedly running to unseat the current mayor.
Contreras had been on paid leave for a month and was hired in December 2023.
News Around the Country
AK: Ketchikan City Council hires former fire chief as city manager on a 4-3 vote after a year of searching
CA: John J. Murphy hired by Turlock to be their next city manager - becoming the 13th city manager in 17 years
CA: Woodside Town Council may appoint Pamela Antil as interim town manager, who was under scrutiny for an inappropriate text exchange at her previous job
CO: Loveland Deputy City Manager Rod Wensing to retire July 6
FL: Fort Lauderdale city manager suspends 3 senior leaders after scathing audit on city-issued credit cards
GA: Clarkesville has selected Sky Valley City Manager Jason Streetman as the sole finalist for its city manager position
GA: Jennifer Kidd-Harrison has resigned her position as Hoschton City Manager
IA: Clarinda City Manager Gary McClarnon is stepping down next April; plans to overlap with eventual successor
IA: Clinton passes on crop of finalists and will start over; salary range is $160,000–$195,000
ME: Old Orchard Beach town manager exits 2 weeks after starting
MI: Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin bolting to become first black county administrator for Chesterfield County in Virginia
MN: Sauk Rapids City Administrator Ross Olson receives leadership award from League of Minnesota Cities
NC: Cabarrus County says former County Manager Sean Newton was fired for cause and is not entitled to nearly $290,000 in severance pay; Newton’s predecessor was “fired for cause” as well but settled with county for $489,000
NC: As she approaches her first anniversary as Wilmington’s city manager, Becky Hawke says a major staff reorganization implemented earlier this year was designed to improve efficiency and was not connected to the departure of several high-profile city employees
NJ: Raritan Borough Administrator Eric Colvin has officially resigned
OH: Two weeks after voting not to extend the city manager’s contract, Monroe City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to extend Larry Lester’s deal for two years
OK: Kingfisher City manager set to retire at end of year
SC: Marlboro County administrator leaving position to pursue other ventures
TN: Mount Carmel Assistant Town Manager Tyler Williams promoted to top spot in planned transition
VA: Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors announced this week the retirement of County Administrator Spencer Suter, who has served in the role since August of 2012
WV: Mineral County administrator Kandace Lancaster has submitted her resignation — just shy of one year serving in the position
Contracts & Compensation
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