Kettwig Resigns as Milbank City Administrator

The Milbank City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 27. Following the meeting, the council held an executive session. A motion was made, seconded, and passed 4-0 ( Councilmen Hoeke and Hanson were absent) to accept the resignation of Jason Kettwig as administrator for the City of Milbank.  Kettwig is expected to leave the position effective December 31, 2018, but the agreement includes terms for an early separation if both parties assent.

Milbank Mayor, Pat Raffety, released a statement saying, “The Council received a resignation letter from Jason Kettwig, City Administrator, and voted to accept his resignation. Jason has done an outstanding job during his employment with the city, from his project management skills to his long term planning. His efforts to do projects the correct way are reflected all over our community, and his vision and leadership will be missed.”

In a separate interview today, Mayor Raffety also stated, “At the next city council meeting on September 10, we will start a formal search for his replacement. There are lots of good people out there, and I feel confident we will find the right person to fill the position. Jason had a passionate approach to his job and we all relied on him when we needed something.”

In response to questions regarding his decision, Kettwig says, ” I plan to stay in the area. I have no plans to leave. The city needs a change, and I do, too.” Kettwig has been employed by the City of Milbank since 2005. He says, “It’s a natural progression. Time for someone else to look at the old problems with new eyes. You do the best you can when you are doing the job, but it’s time to pass it on to someone else.”