NEWTON -The Newton City Commission voted Tuesday night to terminate the contract of City Manager Randy Riggs, effective immediately.

The vote was 3-2, with Vice Mayor Barth Hague and Commissioner Kathy Valentine opposed, according to a media release.

The termination agreement did not outline specific reasons for the separation other than a desire by the Commission to pursue a different direction in management of the City.

As per Riggs’ contract, the City will provide a severance benefit to include:
• 12 months’ salary in the amount of $147,243.20, plus health insurance benefits.
• Unused vacation leave in the amount of $17,233.83.
• Unused sick leave in the amount of $50,968.80.

City Attorney Bob Myers was appointed to serve as interim city manager. The Commission said they would discuss the process for selecting a new city manager at a later date.

Riggs served as Newton’s city manager since March 2008. He previously was city manager in Chanute and Sterling and assistant city manager in Lawton, Oklahoma.