Montgomery City Council terminates city administrator's contract

During a regular meeting May 24, Montgomery City Council voted 3-1 to terminate the contract with City Administrator Richard Tramm, effective May 24.

Following a closed executive session, Council Member Casey Olson, who was sworn into Place 2 on May 24, made a motion to terminate the contract with Tramm for "no confidence." Council Member Cheryl Fox, who was sworn into Place 4 on May 24, seconded the motion.

The motion to terminate the contract passed 3-1 with Council Member T.J. Wilkerson casting the opposing vote.

“I appreciate all that you’ve done. I don’t get the same feeling as my colleagues, as the people before me have got," Wilkerson said to Tramm during discussion on the item. "I appreciate how you sit there with your grace and demeanor with all the things people say about you. ... I just think we are rushing [inaudible] on things. I don’t want to come in on my first night on something and then I make a major decision. ... The water’s still on, the trash is being still picked up, the streets are still being safe. We haven’t had any developments come in and stand up and ... say that they’re not going to do any business in the city because of you, Richard.”

Nici Browe, city secretary and director of administrative services, said in an email May 25 that the city had begun the process to work with an executive consultant agency to find an appropriate candidate through a nationwide search; a candidate for city administrator will then be voted on and hired by City Council.

According to the city's website, Tramm has served as city administrator since June 2019, before which he had 28 years of experience in local government, utility and development throughout Montgomery County.

In addition to the now vacant city administrator position, City Council Place 5 remains vacant as Byron Sanford—who held that seat—was sworn in as mayor May 24. Council members said they will discuss possible appointees to the seat at the June 4 meeting. The Place 5 term expires in May 2023, according to city information.