WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Watertown will be looking for a new city manager for 2024.
Current city manager Ken Mix put in his resignation Monday morning.
Mix confirmed he will leave as city manager on December 30.
Asked Monday why he is leaving Mix told 7 News there are several reasons. Mix said, “All the negative energy on council is making it hard to concentrate on getting important things done for the City of Watertown.”
Mix adds, “It’s more than one individual. At this point of my life, I want to get back to things that I am interested in.”
We asked members of city council for their reaction.
“It was never about him. It was about the differences that Smith and I have with what we believe the city can become. Then you are set in a position as a manager to make a determination about what you’re going to do, and how quickly, and then you’re trying to split the difference between what I want, what the rest of the council wants, what the mayor wants. It would not be an easy job for Mr. Mix,” said Cliff Olney, council member.
Mix was talked out of leaving as city manager in 2022. He was ready to leave because of micro-managing by some city council members, and quarrels between council members.
“He had concerns with certain council member micro-managing, and not treating staff with the respect that they deserve. I think that anyone who watches the council meetings can see for themselves what the environment is and how certain members of council treat and speak to staff,” said Sarah Compo Pierce, council member.
“Some of those issues I believe still remain where he was basically promised that things would be better, and obviously there are factions that are still in play that he’s taken heat for,” said Patrick Hickey, council member.
Although some believe this moment had been months in the making, others say it was recent actions that ended up being the last straw for the city manager.
“The mayor and Councilman Olney, they push each other’s buttons. They just constantly do it. I think that’s where the negativity is. But if you ask me why, I would say let’s look at the mayor’s actions over the last ten days,” said Lisa Ruggiero, council member.
Ruggiero is referring to Mayor Smith’s push for paperwork regarding the Thompson Park Golf Course purchase to make its way to the State Attorney General’s Office.
Smith did not want to speak about the reasons why Mix made his decision. The mayor is more concerned about the amount of turnover the city is facing come the start of the new year.
“Ken Mix over 30 years. Pat Keenan, probably over 30 years. A brand new city attorney, no city engineer. Again, there is a lot of institutional knowledge that won’t be there come January 1,” said Smith.
Along with the city manager, city attorney, city engineer and DPW supervisor, the council will have a new look to it in 2024 with the election of a new mayor and possibly two new members of city council
Mix will leave city hall with 34 years of service with Watertown, most as the planning department’s leader. Mix has been city manager for the last 4 years.
Copyright 2023 WWNY. All rights reserved.
