Morris City council accepts city manager's resignation, appoints Blaine Hill as acting manager and forms search committee

The Morris City Council voted to accept the city manager's resignation and to honor the manager's request to shorten the contract's 60-day notice period to 39 days. Council members discussed the reasons cited in the resignation (a move closer to family) and expressed appreciation for the manager's service.

Council also approved a resolution to establish a formal search committee to lead the executive recruitment. Council member Miller was added to serve on the committee; the council discussed previous practice of using an outside executive search firm and involving a citizens panel during finalist interviews. Several members said they want robust community input during candidate interviews, and the council discussed whether to add a single outside citizen member to the committee or to invite public engagement during finalist interviews.

To ensure continuity during what council members described as a tight market for city managers, the council appointed longtime local official Blaine Hill as acting city manager for the interim period. The council said details on start date and compensation will be worked out later. The mayor explained the finance director was not comfortable handling both roles during the budget season, so a dedicated interim manager was needed.

Procedural steps: council moved and seconded the motions and adopted the resolutions by roll call and voice votes. Council members said they plan to follow an open process consistent with prior searches, including staff participation and public opportunities to meet finalists. The search committee will return to council with next steps and timelines.

What's next: The council must finalize the search committee's charter (whether to retain an outside firm and how to include community input), set the search timeline and confirm appointment terms for the acting city manager.