HUDSON, Ohio — Changes continue to take place inside the government of the city of Hudson.
On Tuesday, Hudson City Council accepted the resignation of City Manager Jane Howington after the two sides worked out a separation agreement. The departure of Howington comes just one week after the resignation of Craig Shubert as Hudson mayor.
"This is the best thing for everyone moving forward," said Hudson City Council Member Kate Schlademan prior to the vote. "I hope that the council can come together after this."
Howington's last day will be on March 18. She has served as the city manager of Hudson since 2014. The council plans to appoint Assistant City Manager Thomas Sheridan as interim city manager at its next meeting while beginning the search for Howington's permanent replacement.
“We appreciate Jane’s service to the community over the past seven plus years and we wish her well. With the leadership of Thom Sheridan, we will continue to provide quality services to our citizens during this transition,” Hudson City Council President Chris Foster said in a statement.
Council suspended Howington during its meeting on February 8, the same night that Shubert made his controversial comments that ice fishing could ultimately lead to prostitution. Howington's suspension, however, had nothing to do with Shubert's remarks.
According to its resolution calling for Howington's suspension and removal, Council said the following points led to its decision:
- "As far back as 2018 substantial conflict existed between the Council and City Manager Howington resulting in an attempted “reset” of communication between the legislative Council and the City Manager with the blame for such conflict being directed at Council by the Manager."
- "Consistently below average annual evaluation review scores of the City Manager over the past two years, 2020 and 2021, by current Council members who were seated Council members during those years remain problematic."
- "At a minimum over the past year, the City Manager has made decisions and taken actions that affect the entire community and the Council’s legislative prerogatives without consideration of or even informing the Council thereof in advance."
It was not specified what 'decision and actions' by Howington were being referenced by Hudson City Council.
"City Manager Howington has not and is not working cooperatively with City Council, which has engendered a lack of trust between the City Manager and the Council," the council added in its resolution.
According to the city's website, since 1958, Hudson has operated under the Mayor-Council-Manager form of government. "This form of government combines the political leadership of elected officials with the managerial experience of an appointed administrator. The Mayor and City Council comprise the representative branch and are elected by the voters. The City’s chief executive and administrative officer is the City Manager, who is appointed by the council to serve at its pleasure."
Previous Reporting:
- Hudson searching for a new mayor after controversy, residents looking to move on
- Hudson Mayor Craig Shubert resigns week after comments on ice fishing and prostitution: Read his statement
- Ice fishing now allowed in Hudson despite mayor's controversial 'prostitution' comments
- Watch: Hudson mayor says ice fishing could lead to prostitution