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Ellsworth accepts city administratorDustin Stanbaughresignation; council authorizes interim search
Summary
Ellsworth City Council accepted the resignation of city administrator Dustin Stanbaugh (proposed final day Dec. 27), voted to seek a temporary interim administrator and moved into an executive session to discuss personnel; public comment included calls for a mayoral recall and both criticism and defense of the council's conduct.
Dustin Stanbaugh, Ellsworth's city administrator, told the council he had submitted his resignation and said his proposed final day is Dec. 27. The council unanimously moved to accept his resignation and to keep him in position through that date. After the vote the council authorized the mayor and city attorney to work together to find a suitable interim administrator.
The resignation came during new-business remarks in a meeting that included an extended public-comment period. Michael Walsh, who identified himself as a city resident, said he had met election officials and was prepared to help residents organize a recall petition over what he described as "unprofessional and divisive behavior" by Mayor Dan Fineman. Walsh gave contact information for residents who wanted to join a recall effort. A number of speakers, including Jan Bontrager and other residents, offered public thanks to Stanbaugh for his work.
Stanbaugh told the council he had accepted a position in Fairfax and would prepare an exit letter listing ongoing projects, contacts and outstanding tasks to help ease the transition. He also said external partners such as the Kansas Rural Water Authority would support staff during the change. At the meeting council members pointed to the need to maintain momentum on major projects: one councilor noted a $10 million anticipated water-treatment project and ongoing work tied to a $2 million loan-forgiveness effort.
Councilor Panter moved to accept Stanbaugh's resignation and to allow him to remain through Dec. 27; Tyler Renard seconded the motion. The mayor called for the ayes and the motion carried. The council then voted to enter an executive session for personnel matters and later approved a motion authorizing the mayor and city attorney to identify an interim administrator to serve before Stanbaugh's departure.
Public comment before and after the resignation announcement was at times sharply critical. Jared Pruett, a newcomer who said he wanted to get involved in the city, criticized a mayoral staff interaction he described as "unprofessional." Michael Walsh urged citizens to consider a recall; other speakers warned against celebrating Stanbaugh's departure and urged constructive steps. Council members and department heads expressed gratitude to Stanbaugh for his work and urged a careful, measured transition.
The council announced that a budget amendment public hearing will be held at the next regular meeting on Dec. 9 at 5:15 p.m. The council also set a short executive-session period to discuss personnel matters and emphasized that a mayor-and-attorney-led search for an interim will proceed as soon as possible.
What happens next: The council tasked the mayor and city attorney with finding a temporary administrator to help run the city through Dec. 27; a public hearing on a budget amendment is scheduled for Dec. 9. The search for a permanent replacement was not scheduled at the meeting.
