Commission approves Amanda E. Zimmerlin as Battle Creek city manager

The Battle Creek City Commission on Sept. 2 approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an employment agreement with Amanda E. Zimmerlin for the position of city manager.

Commissioners moved and supported Resolution 236 and recorded its approval. Commission members said the city manager evaluation committee and the city attorney reviewed the contract provisions before recommending approval.

Zimmerlin attended the meeting and was acknowledged by the commission. Several public speakers offered remarks addressing the appointment. Mary Fields congratulated Zimmerlin and discussed city-owned lots and housing inventory. Autumn Smith welcomed Zimmerlin but said the new manager should “cooperate fully” with federal scrutiny she says involves the Battle Creek Police Department; Smith told Zimmerlin: “You publicly stated ... that if you were managing a city or police department under FBI investigation, you would fully cooperate with that investigation... Be prepared to cooperate fully because you are entering a swamp of lies, deceit, fraud, abuse, and in some cases, what may very well amount to criminal activity.”

Commissioners thanked staff and committee members for the process; Commissioner Lacoste said she was “very thankful that we're done with this process” and the panel had worked well together. The resolution was approved and Zimmerlin was welcomed by the commission.

Next steps: The mayor will execute the employment agreement and Human Resources will complete onboarding steps consistent with the approved contract and city hiring policies.