Harry Black announced his resignation Thursday as City Manager of Stockton. His departure will take effect February 28.
Stocktonia reports that Black “voluntarily left his post in lieu of a ‘no-cause’ firing, with both parties also agreeing not to disparage each other.”
His departure followed the swearing-in of three new city council members and a new mayor. There was a closed door meeting Wednesday, with three items listed on the agenda: “discipline/dismissal release” of an employee, the appointment of another employee, and a discussion regarding “anticipated litigation.”
Deputy City Manager Will Crew was unanimously appointed as interim city manager. Crew has 27 years of experience in local government and holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Minnesota's Bemidji State University.
There are already complaints about the way Black’s departure was handled. Some residents expressed surprise that the attempt to get rid of Black would be the council’s first order of business. The new mayor, Christina Fugazi, and the rest of the council members declined to comment on his departure, instead pointing to official statements wishing him well and thanking him for his service.
Black will receive a single lump sum payment equivalent to 12 months' salary ($348,068) plus deferred compensation contributions. The city will continue to provide life, medical, dental, and vision insurance for the next year.