Bill Simmons’ 12-year tenure as Louisville city manager ended abruptly this week when the City Council voted unanimously to accept his resignation and approve a separation agreement.
Louisville Mayor Chuck Sisk said the parting of ways is amicable, and he praised Simmons’ work with the city, which last year was named by Money Magazine as the fifth-best place to live in the country.
But, Sisk said, city leaders had lingering concerns about Simmons’ ability to attract economic development to Louisville, which Sisk said hasn’t had significant new retail development in the past five or six years.
Simmons’ most recent performance evaluation, approved by the council Nov. 8, mentioned these concerns, noting: “Business retention and development should be a higher priority.”
The evaluation also praised Simmons for his professionalism and leadership.
“When Bill was hired, he really wasn’t asked to be involved in economic development,” Sisk said. “It may be something where another person will be a better fit for what we need in 2006.”
Simmons could not be reached for comment.
In his resignation letter, Simmons was equally complimentary of the city.
“It is time for me to close a chapter and open a new one,” Simmons wrote. “Louisville is truly the best of the best and it has been a privilege serving the community.”
Simmons first approached Sisk to talk about leaving the job, Sisk said. On Friday, Simmons signed off on the separation agreement, which calls for him to receive seven months of severance pay, and the council formally approved the deal Tuesday night.
Simmons was due to make $127,000 this year.
In his resignation letter, Simmons specified his last day as Feb. 28. However, Simmons’ outgoing voice-mail message Tuesday said he was out of the office, and the city has already appointed an interim city manager, Heather Balser.
Balser said Simmons will be on medical leave until his last day.
This is the second time the city manager of a Boulder County city has left his job this year. In August, trustees in Superior, which is adjacent to Louisville, dismissed town manager Bruce Williams. They did not give a reason.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
