Crossett denied extension

POLSON – At Monday’s city council meeting, council members and mayor Pat DeVries voted 4-3 against renewing the contract of city manager Todd Crossett, set to expire in June of 2013.

According to DeVries, Crossett has held the office since 2009, and was previously reappointed to a two-year term that he is currently serving.

Council members Todd Erickson, Dan Morrison and Stephen Turner voted in favor of renewing Crossett’s contract, while John Campbell, Fred Funke and Mike Lies opposed the measure. With the deciding vote, DeVries elected not to keep Crossett beyond June.

When contacted on Tuesday morning, DeVries declined to comment on what influenced her pivotal decision.

“We all had our reasons,” DeVries said of her decision to vote against renewing Crossett, though she refused to elaborate on what those reasons were.

Numerous city employees and members of the public spoke on Crossett’s behalf at the meeting, praising his strong leadership and devotion to the city and urging the council to extend his tenure.

Ultimately, however, their testimony was for naught.

“It made it difficult to make the decision that I made,” DeVries said of voting against those who voiced support for Crossett.

Only one city employee spoke against Crossett, but DeVries said that, “I can guarantee there are other people who agree with us.”

With Crossett’s days numbered, the city must now begin the search process for a new city manager.

DeVries expects that Crossett will remain in the position until his term concludes on June 15. She did not dismiss the possibility of the city rehiring Crossett if a suitable replacement candidate cannot be not found.

“All I can say to that is, you never say never,” said DeVries