Collinsville Mayor John Miller said he will not reveal the reason behind the resignation of City Manager Robert Knabel last week.
“I am not going to talk about the details of the resignation,” Miller said. “I’m trying to protect the professionalism of Knabel. It is what it is and we’ll start anew.”
Miller said he will be discussing the appointment of a new city manager in a closed session meeting with the City Council scheduled for Nov. 21.
None of the four City Council members would comment, referring questions about the resignation to Miller.
“I asked the council to allow me to be the spokesperson so that we don’t get mixed comments going out there,” Miller said.
Knabel, 61, earned $108,110 annually as City Manager, a position he was appointed to in 2006. When contacted last week, he said the resignation was a mutual decision between he and the City Council.
“I guess I would say that the City Council and I have, over the past several months, kind of been on different pages, not agreeing on our approach,” he said. “We really plateaued in terms of our progress and where we were going.”
Community members have said that part of the rift concerned Knabel’s desire to create additional taxes to cover the city’s future infrastructure costs.
“Certainly the council did not support the infrastructure plan,” Knabel said. “They recognized the need for it, but the timing was not good in terms of the economy. But I wouldn’t say that was a cause, it certainly was one of the issues — I made a proposal and they weren’t in accord with it.”
In a press release, Miller cited several accomplishments under Knabel’s management, including bringing a “significant cultural shift” in the city’s organization and a focus on providing customer service to residents. However, Knabel said he felt differences with the City Council hindered future progress.
“We’ve accomplished a lot in five years,” he said. “What happens is after a period of time, the person who has been the change agent becomes an obstacle for further growth, becomes a point of contention.”
Knabel said he is not sure if he will continue in public service.
“I don’t know if that’s my future or if that what’s out there for me, I’m going to look at other options,” Knabel said of a future city management position. “I have a very strong faith that God’s hand is in this and he is going to lead me into what he wants me to do.”
Our previous story:
Collinsville City Manager Robert Knabel announced his resignation today, effectively immediately. Knabel said his decision to resign was supported by the City Council.
"I guess I would say that the City Council and I have, over the past several months, kind of been on different pages, not agreeing on our approach," Knabel said. "We really plateaued in terms of our progress and where we were going."
Collinsville Mayor John Miller could not be reached for comment.
Knabel, 61, earned $108,110 annually as City Manager, a position he was appointed to in 2006. He has served in city management for 35 years, including working for the municipal governments in Missouri, Kansas, Idaho, New York, Litchfield and Galesburg. He and his wife of 38 years, Linda, have two adult children and seven grandchildren.
Knabel said he is not sure if he will continue in public service.
"I don't know if that's my future or if that what's out there for me, I'm going to look at other options" Knabel said of a future city management position. "I have a very strong faith that God's hand is in this and he is going to lead me into what he wants me to do."
