Duluth To Have 'National Search' for City Manager

Updated 6:30 a.m.

Duluth has an opening at city manager, as of Friday evening. But as for why, or what the city will be looking for, no details are forthcoming.

"It's a personnel issue and confidential," Mayor Nancy Harris said at City Hall after a called City Council meeting and executive session. The council members voted unanimously to terminate City Manager Tim Shearer's contract effective immediately.

Shearer had been placed on administrative leave earlier in the week. He had been on the job about two years.

Council members Greg Whitlock and Jim Dugan also declined to comment on Shearer's dismissal. Dugan said after the executive session that Shearer's situation had been discussed at a previous executive session, but offered no details.

A one-paragraph news release issued by the city said in part, "The decision to terminate Mr. Shearer's contract was based upon the Mayor and Council's belief that the decision was in the best interest of the city. The Mayor and Council thank Mr. Shearer for his service to the City and wish him well in his future endeavors."

No details about Shearer's contract or a settlement were given.

City officials now will begin the task of finding a new day-to-day leader for City Hall. Harris said there will be a "national search" for Shearer's replacement, and that details would be posted.

Before coming to Duluth, Shearer had been administrator for Angels Camp, a city in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. He also is a colonel in the Army Reserve.

Asked what would be her priority if she herself were taking over as city manager, Harris replied, "I'm not ready to talk about that yet."

-- What's your take on the situation at City Hall in Duluth? Tell us in the comments below.

Don't miss any Duluth news. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.