The City of Homer will be seeking a new city manager.

A March 15 press release announced that during a special city council session last Thursday, March 14, “the City of Homer, by and through the office of the Mayor, elected to exercise its contractual prerogative to conclude the employment of City Manager Rob Dumouchel.”

According to an email sent Friday to Homer News by Jenny Carroll, the city special projects and communications coordinator, the city manager position has regularly scheduled annual evaluations.

“City Council’s decision came during Executive Session after a regularly scheduled Special Meeting on March 14 for the City Manager evaluation,” she wrote.

Homer City Clerk and Deputy Director of Administration Melissa Jacobsen is acting as interim city manager until the position is permanently filled. The council will “discuss initiating the search process” for a new city manager at a future work session, the release states.

Dumouchel had worked as the city manager for the past three and a half years.

Mayor Ken Castner stated in the release, “As Mayor for that period, I can attest to his administrative capabilities and staff leadership. He has brought an intelligent, proactive and inclusive culture to the workforce tasked with keeping the City moving forward.”

Regarding the transition period until a new city manager is hired, Castner said, according to the release, “We have an exceptional team in place. I have every confidence in their ability to maintain momentum during this period.”