PIMA — Pima Town Manager Sean Lewis submitted his resignation Thursday, effective Aug. 19.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do; I have options,” Lewis said. “Several people have reached out since Tuesday night, and even before then, so I definitely have options and I’m going to explore those options.”
The Pima Town Council had called a special meeting Thursday with one item on the agenda: the employment of the town manager. The meeting was the result of two council members — Lucas Hoopes and Sherrill Teeter — seeking to terminate Lewis at Tuesday’s regular council meeting, following the results of the town’s annual audit and allegations of financial impropriety.
The vote Thursday to accept Lewis’ resignation was 3-2, with Hoopes and Teeter opposed.
“We just got his resignation letter just a couple of minutes before (the) Town Council meeting tonight. (That’s) when I read it, actually, so, yeah, I was disappointed,” Hoopes said.
Hoopes said his primary issue with the resignation centers around Lewis’ severance package; however, Hoopes said he didn’t know what severance was previously agreed to in Lewis’ employment contract.
“A lot of people think I have a personal issue with Mr. Lewis, and there is not. I think Mr. Lewis has done a fantastic job,” Hoopes said. “But coming from a world of finance — me being in finances — and being held to an incredibly standard, and being fiduciaries, not just overseers, and when I took office and put my arm to the square and took that oath, my interest is in the Town of Pima — not my personal interest, but for the Town of Pima.”
Lewis said he hopes the next town manager experiences success in the position.
“I hope the next person has a vision, and I hope it’s about good growth consistent growth. I want to see Pima continue to move forward,” Lewis said. “I hope the next person is very successful; I hope the next person is more successful than I was. I want nothing but the best for Pima, so I truly hope that they continue to move forward.”
