HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson has formally accepted the resignations of City Manager Enrico Villegas and City Attorney Cody Smith, five days after the two announced they were leaving their positions.
The city confirmed the resignations in a brief statement Monday, Sept. 14.
“The City of Hutchinson has formally accepted the resignations of City Manager Enrico Villegas and City Attorney Cody Smith,” the statement said.
The city said operations and services will continue without interruption and that the Hutchinson City Council is working to ensure continuity of leadership.
An announcement regarding the city’s next steps is expected soon.
Villegas and Smith announced Sept. 9 that it would be their final day working for the city, saying in a joint statement that they believed an increasingly hostile and untenable working environment left them with no reasonable choice but to leave.
They said the environment deteriorated after they raised concerns involving the Hutchinson Recreation Commission, Hutch Rec Foundation and Dillon Nature Center Foundation.
“In our experience, Council member Stacy Goss’s continued conduct has been a principal contributor to that environment,” Villegas and Smith said in the Sept. 9 statement.
They did not provide specific examples of Goss’ alleged conduct.
Later that day, Hutchinson Mayor Scott Meggers said the city had not yet received formal written resignations from either Villegas or Smith.
“The city is aware of the public statement issued today by City Manager Enrico Villegas and City Attorney Cody Smith,” Meggers said following a special City Council meeting. “At this time, neither has formally submitted a resignation to the city.”
Meggers said the governing body had requested written resignations so the city could move forward appropriately.
Monday’s announcement confirms those resignations have now been formally accepted.
Villegas and Smith previously said their departure did not change or diminish the concerns they raised involving Hutch Rec and the two foundations.
“We believe those concerns remain important and should be addressed through the appropriate channels,” they said.