A state auditor skewered a former city manager and the city council that left him unchecked in a 257-page audit. A city councilman compared a state redistricting effort to rape on Facebook and has been blasted for it. A California manager resigns less than three months into his tenure. And multiple issues in Dallas have bubbled to the surface in conjunction with the exodus of AT&T.
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
IL: Streator - City Manager (3/23/2026) | Arndt Municipal Support
PA: DuBois - City Manager (4/17/2026) | Kafferlin Strategies
TX: Marshall - City Manager (4/1/2026) | Clear Career
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
TX: Dumas - Finance Director (Until Filled) | Clear Career
TX: Bridgeport - Assistant Chief of Police (3/20/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Lufkin - City Engineer (3/30/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Marble Falls - Finance Director (Until Filled) | Clear Career
TX: Odessa - Chief Financial Officer (First Review 2/22/2026) | Clear Career
NC: State Auditor takes flamethrower to former Rocky Mount city manager; Blames 'unchecked' manager who was hired without 'due diligence' for blowing thru $80 million
State Auditor Dave Boliek released details of 257-page performance audit saying that former Rocky Mount city manager Keith Rogers Jr. had many "red flags" before being hired by the city council, which he said did not do "due diligence" before hiring him.
From August 2023 to August 2025, the city’s cash and investment balances declined by approximately $80 million, falling from about $100 million to $21.8 million.
D.C.-based recruitment firm POLIHIRE described Rogers as a “stretch candidate” and the auditor blasted the council for not doing any due diligence or background checks. One article raised the specter of potential criminal charges being filed against Rogers.
TX: Big Drama in the “Big D”
Lots of drama and headlines coming out of Dallas the last couple of weeks.
First, we have the matter of AT&T moving their headquarters out of the city and the cascading effects of this move. Email exchanges between the CEO and city leaders reveal him questioning the “effective” governance of Dallas.
Second, we have a battle over the Dallas Stars hockey team where Plano is making a play to relocate them.
Third, we have a battle over City Hall and whether it should be renovated or sold. Dallas officials arranged tours of up to four potential City Hall sites for a handful of City Council members earlier this year, even though the locations were not disclosed to the broader council and public. Reportedly a developer would like to see it tore down so a new arena for the Mavericks could be built.
Lynchburg Vice Mayor Curt Diemer apologized, but not before he had doubled down and compared the Virginia redistricting effort to rape on social media. This elicited searing rebukes by individuals who had suffered from sexual assault.
Diemer doubled down writing: “I will up my use of the Rape analogy because it is getting such great attention and bringing awareness to the crime being committed against Republicans…I should have used murder as my political analogy since this is actually a ‘genocide’ against almost every Republican Voter in Virginia.”
Sounds like Lynchburg needs to give Sam Toles of CiviSocial a call to discuss his training for elected officials.
News Around the Country
CA: Apple Valley Shocker! Town manager exiting for “personal reasons” after less than three months
CA: Costa Mesa Finance Director Abruptly Leaves Amid Budget Season
CA: Verbal altercation in El Monte City Council chambers postpones debate on data centers, ‘sanctuary’ law
CA: Audit committee questions why consultant contract didn’t get council approval in Stockton
CA: “Pride Month” contention in Vacaville leads to City Council adoption of new proclamation policy
FL: Pembroke Park commissioners were expected to fire town manager in special meeting - but they didn’t have a physical quorum and punted the special meeting to this Friday
MA: For Adams town administrator Nicholas Caccamo, nothing is routine during his first 7 weeks on the job
MA: Norwell Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan announced she will not seek to renew her contract which expires in June
MT: Former council member tapped to be deputy city administrator in Libby
NC: Graham city council vetoes mayor’s trip, 3-2, (again), even though it is being paid for by a private donor
NC: 3 people suspended, 1 resigns in Southport, following probe into missing funds in Parks and Recreation Department; involves department head, program director, and her two daughters
ND: Fargo police chief steps down; commissioners question city admin communication
OR: Manzanita city manager has resigned
PA: Johnstown agrees to settle free speech lawsuit with former Mayoral candidate for $20K
TN: Former Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules qualifies as an unopposed candidate for the Rutherford County Road Board
TX: April retirement of Bedford’s ACM/CFO Caryn Riggs triggers organizational changes
TX: Kyle City Council explains how state legislation impacted city manager contract amendments
WA: Seattle City Council passes 1-year moratorium on new detention centers
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