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Weimar mayor Milton Koller retired with no notice and provided no reason, Monday, July 28.
City Manager Donald Dixson posted a public notice on the city’s Facebook page announcing Koller’s retirement the following day. Koller started his service as mayor in 2012, replacing Bennie Kosler, and has run mostly unopposed during his tenure. Place 1 councilwoman Becky Roberts will act as mayor pro-tem. In his retirement letter, Koller said that he “had a blessed and fulfilling experience working for the citizens of Weimar.” Koller did not respond to requests for comment.
“I would like to thank the citizens of Weimar for the opportunity given me, as well as for the support provided to me during my time as Mayor,” the letter read. “I wish Weimar continued success in the future and hope to be a part of it.”
Dixson said he did not know about Koller’s retirement beforehand. Dixson was unanimously hired as city manager by the city council in April following the resignation of former city manager Richard Whitten in March. Dixson also said Koller did not leave a reason for his retirement.
“I had been at an early morning meeting in Columbus, and I didn’t get over [to city hall] until almost 10 a.m., and that’s when the city secretary handed me his retirement notice because he had already left for volleyball camp,” Dixson said.
Kol ler’s retirement leaves another hole in Weimar’s city staff. Currently, the city has openings for its public works director and police chief. The police chief spot has been vacant since Mark Jameson resigned around the same time as Whitten. No one is serving as interim chief. The city is in the process of reviewing applications for its police chief. Director of Finance David Mason currently serves as interim public works director.
Kol ler’s retirement comes during a time of community discourse over the long-standing open positions, extensive and prolonged bad water quality and film industry development. The city council will discuss Koller’s retirement, appoint a new city council member and review its open positions during its next council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.
