MONROE — Monroe’s City Administrator David Lothspeich is leaving his position here to take a similar job as city administrator for the town of Williams Bay, near Lake Geneva.
His resignation was accepted Monday night at the regular meeting of the city’s Common Council, where Mayor Donna Douglas read his resignation letter.
“While there were many reasons to stay with the city, being in closer proximity to my family is the primary driver,” for the decision, said Lothspeich. “Although my tenure is shorter than I planned, I’m very proud of all our team’s accomplishments.”
Lothspeich, who came to Monroe from the northern Chicago suburbs, and was commuting several days each week from more than an hour away, submitted his resignation on Jan. 30, and it is effective March 17, according to Douglas. Lothspeich’s contract called for him to be able to leave with 45 days’ notice of his intentions, according to city officials.
“My conversation with him is that he wants to make the transition as easy as possible,” said City Attorney Dan Bartholf.
Council members on Monday discussed how to proceed such a “high level” position in city government. Douglas said at issue is whether to go with an interim administrator until a permanent replacement is found; and if a search firm would be used to find the next administrator, which is the process in place for finding a fire chief.
The search process should take 3 to 4 months, but perhaps as long as a year, said Bartholf. Numerous employees have the ability to serve in an interim basis, said Lothspeich but it might be too much too ask.
“Personally, I’m not a huge fan of interims but I guess it depends on how long the process takes,” said Alder Mary Jane Grenzow, who added that she would feel more comfortable with an outside hire for an interim administrator.
Ald. Andrew Kranig asked if the council members themselves could assume some of the work load.
“It is possible, yes,” said Lothspeich, of the interim idea using existing staff. “But it is something that takes a lot of time and I don’t know if realistically there is that much time in all of your schedules.”
The measure will be considered again at its next meeting, at which time Lothspeich said he would have information gathered from search firms on the options for an interim or permanent administrator.
Lothspeich began working as administrator Nov. 2, 2020 but his transition to Monroe began Sept. 8 when the Common Council voted unanimously to hire him.
“He has been a pleasure to work with especially as a new mayor,” said Douglas, shortly after the resignation was made public.
After working four years as a community development director, Lothspeich began as a village administrator in Bannockburn, Illinois. There he remained for eight years before becoming the village manager in Long Grove, Illinois where he served for another 18 years.
After taking the Monroe job, he later moved into a Lake Geneva home, saying it would markedly decrease his commute time.