Before we get into today’s news, I have a question for you.
When searching for city and county manager jobs — it is kind of a pain because you have to scan numerous boards to make sure you don’t miss a posting. It is time consuming and tedious.
If I could find a way to do a weekly roundup and share all the city and county manager jobs (and ACM/DCMs, too), would you find value in that? Send me your thoughts either via email, messenger, or in the comments.
Now, on to today’s headlines.
A city manager stepped in it and arguably committed a fireable offense — but he is really good at his job.
A mayor is challenging the gag clause in her city administrator’s contract claiming it violates her First Amendment rights.
A town in the northeast is breaking up with its town administrator on bad terms — 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
TX: Rowlett - City Manager (8/28/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Surfside Beach - City Administrator (8/30/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Uhland - City Manager (8/21/2026) | Clear Career
WA: Sunnyside - City Manager (8/21/2026) | Colin Baenziger
Other
CO: Grand Junction - City Attorney (8/28/2026 First Review) | Colin Baenziger
SC: Charleston - Section Chief for Public Works (8/14/2026) | Colin Baenziger
SC: Charleston - Section Chief for Parks and Recreation (9/4/2026) Colin Baenziger
TX: Denison - Director of Development Services (8/24/2026) | Clear Career
TX: Frisco - Fire Chief (9/14/2026) | Clear Career
Editorial: The unbearable competence of Avondale Estates City Manager Patrick Bryant
A loyal reader of this newsletter sent me this fascinating editorial about a Georgia city manager. It was kind of refreshing to get a nuanced take about an unfortunate situation that transpired between an incredibly skilled and competent and one of his elected officials.
Being a city manager is tough. It’s a difficult job. Sometimes we screw up and don’t have good days. It doesn’t take away from the fact that you can still be darn good at your job.
MI: Gladwin Mayor Challenges 'Gag Clause' in City Administrator Contract
Can a city manager employment agreement restrict elected officials from criticizing the manager?
City administrator Kimberly Hines' contract restricts statements that could be viewed as professionally damaging; Mayor Sarah Kile is challenging the provision as unconstitutional.
The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation has issued a demand letter on behalf of Kile challenging a provision in the administrator’s contract that restricts elected officials and city employees from criticizing the administrator. They claim it violates the First Amendment.
NH: Another town administrator leaves Haverhill on bad terms
Tom Galinat resigned less than a year into his stint as the town manager. He said that “the board’s direction does not match my ethical background, my moral backbone.”
The feud seems to center on the Galinat’s belief proper procedures surrounding audits and a forensic audit were not followed and that when he reported it to the Board he was personally attacked.
News Around the Country
CA: Brentwood orders removal of HOA license plate readers approved by mistake — related story here
CA: Audit Finds More Questionable Spending Under Orange County Supervisor Imprisoned for Corruption
CA: Orange Cove City Council unanimously approves 12.9% city manager salary increase
CO: Fired Golden Fire Chief Pushes Back and Pursues Legal Action Over Racist-Incident Fallout
KS: Former Hays city manager, Randall (Randy) Gustafson, passes away at 78
MA: Lawrence Mayor Arrested by FBI on Federal Fraud and Money-Laundering Charges
MA: Pembroke Assistant Town Manager Sabrina Chilcott Selected as Whitman Town Administrator
MD: Baltimore Inspector General's Records-Access Lawsuit Against Mayor Can Move Forward
MI: Retired Fire Chief Calls for Independent Investigation of Manistee City Manager and Fire Chief
NY: Suffolk County Signs Nearly $4M Flock Gunshot-Detection Contract
OH: Centerville City Manager Pay Ranks Among Highest in Region
OH: Dayton City Manager Now Highest-Paid Local Government Worker in Region
TX: Bexar County Flock Network Logs More Than 700,000 Plate Detections in a Month
TX: Humble Renews Cybersecurity Software Contract; 3 Years at $158,000
NATIONAL: Search Tool Lets Drivers Check Whether Their Plate Appears in Police Flock Records
Recent City Manager Unfiltered Podcast Episodes
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