Winfield Commissioners, City Manager Reach Agreement To Part Ways

Jeremy Willmoth is no longer city manager for the city of Winfield.

City commissioners Monday, during a regular scheduled meeting, announced that the city and Willmoth had reached a separation and severance agreement. Terms of the agreement were not immediately available.

Today was Willmoth’s last day on the job.

Under terms of Willmoth’s employment contract, he would be owed about $60,000 if terminated without cause.

Winfield Mayor Greg Thompson said the commission has taken steps to ensure that day-to-day operations continue. An interim manager could be named in the next two to three weeks, he said.

“There is no single reason that has lead (sic) to this decision but rather, several occurrences that combined to put the City in the position of needing to make a change. Willmoth and the City have come to a consensus that separation is the best for all parties involved. We genuinely appreciate many of the contributions Willmoth has made to the City and want to wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Thompson said the final separation agreement would be made available through open records request.

Willmoth was no in attendance at Monday’s meeting. He could not be reached for comment this evening.

Willmoth served as city manager for less than two years.

In recent months, the city manager has come under intense criticism for the firing of former Winfield Police Officer Sean Skov. In May, Skov was videotaped during a traffic stop he conducted in the 1600 block of Manning.

31-year-old Jeremy “Rudy” Samuel was initially pulled over in his tan Chevy Impala, police say, for failing to signal at least 100 feet in advance of making a turn. Samuel was later detained and vegetation found inside of the driver-side window seal of his vehicle, was tested.

Skov believed the substance to be marijuana but tests were negative. Samuel was eventually uncuffed and let go with a warning for the turn signal violation and open container.
The traffic stop was posted live to Facebook.

Samuel believes Skov violated his constitutional rights and is seeking $1 million from the city. Skov was fired on May 24, following a review of the incident.

A short time later, Police Chief Brett Stone abruptly retired.

Skov has remained quiet following his removal from the job, but supporters have pressured city commissioners – both publicly and privately – to fire Willmoth. That pressure has come from a group that includes multiple high-profile community members.

Willmoth has been accused of an overall management style that has lowered morale among city employees. His critics have noted the recent departure of other long-time city employees.