Kiel’s soon-to-be former city administrator wants the council to reevaluate itself after claims of a toxic city council.
The council approved the resignation of Dave Funkhouser, which will happen on December 5th.
At the recent City Council meeting, 3rd District Alderman John Brocker said that he spoke with Funkhouser, who told him that there’s a feeling that the council is condescending toward employees.
The council then had a tie vote to accept his resignation, but Funkhouser said bluntly, “I can’t continue in this culture. I wasn’t welcomed as a whole.”
Funkhouser specifically recalled his very first day in office.
“(You) didn’t even welcome me back, (or) said hello,” he said. “With witnesses present, and said, ‘I voted for you, but I have no confidence or faith in your ability to due this job.’ I almost resigned on the spot.”
Funkhouser then said that as the city council is looking for his replacement, they need to look at their attitude toward city employees, saying there’s a reason the city has had three different administrators in three years.
He said that there were also no boundaries, saying that he was constantly called and texted with things happening.
He also pointed to the issues with ending the Kiel Business Industrial District, which pushed him over the edge.
The city administrator said he gave up a well-paying job in the private sector to continue to serve his community and suspended his retirement.
1st District Alderman Jeremy Fromm then said he was very stunned by the comments made by Funkhouser.
He said he wants to know what’s happening
“I’ve lived my whole life in this town,” he stated. “Been on this city council for a good while now. And just saying that we have some sort of toxic environment right here in this room, that does honestly surprise me.”
Funkhouser would add, “You need to do exit interviews with the last two administrators because I think you would find a consistent answer.”
Kiel Mayor Bob Henning said he will miss what Funkhouser brought to the city and the work he did.
He also had to cast a vote to break the 2-2 tie to accept Funkhouser’s resignation.
The city is accepting applications until October 22nd to try and hire their next city administrator.
