Ritter resigning as city manager

Carson City Manager Linda Ritter has sent her resignation letter to the Carson City Board of Supervisors.

The resignation is part of an agreement between Ritter and the city that supervisors will vote on Thursday. Ritter said in the letter she will not be at the meeting.

Under the agreement, she will stay as a part-time employee of the city for the remaining 18 months in her contract.

Ritter said she wants to work on special projects for Development Services Director Larry Werner, who she hopes will be the new city manager.

There have been rumors that she would leave since Mayor Marv Teixeira asked her to resign in July.

Ritter said she was proud of the city staff because it had worked well together and helped make master plans for the city, including specific plans for the downtown and the parks department.

"We're really setting the stage for defining for the future," she said.

Ritter hasn't decided what she will do after the next 18 months, but said she will stay in the city.

"I set down roots really fast and really deep," she said.

Ritter was Elko city manager and assistant county manager for Elko County before starting at Carson City in 2003.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

Test of Linda Ritter's Letter of Resignation:

Carson City Board of Supervisors

201 N. Carson Street

Carson City, NV 89701

re: Resignation

Dear Board members,

This letter will serve as notification of my resignation from the position of City Manager for the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City effective February 7, 2008. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 41Ú2 years as this community's City Manager. We have accomplished much together, although there is much more to do. My greatest joy has been working with one of the finest group of elected officials, department heads and employees in the State. Through all of our challenges, from the Waterfall Fire, to floods, to tightening budgets - this group of public servants have consistently risen to the occasion and performed impeccably. I will miss working closely with each and every one of these fine individuals. Carson City is fortunate to have employees so completely dedicated to the well being of our residents. Like our employees, my focus is, and always will be the betterment of the City that I am proud to call my home. I look forward to "phasing out" of local government work and having the opportunity to enjoy more time with my family as well as becoming more involved with my community.

Since I hold the exclusive power to resign pursuant to the current employment contract with Carson City, I can exercise that exclusive right subject to contingencies. Further, since an offer may only be accepted/rejected as presented and as a whole, I tender the following contingent resignation. I am hereby tendering my contingent resignation, to be effective only upon full completion and acceptance of the following contingencies: (1) the Board of Supervisors will accept by lawful and appropriate vote of the Board the Settlement Agreement, Mutual Release of All Claims and Phase-In Agreement (hereafter collectively "Agreements") which I have signed and submitted to the City contemporaneously with this letter of contingent resignation; (2) The Board of Supervisors and Mayor sign the Agreements prior to the end of the February 7, 2008 Board meeting; and (3) My resignation is accepted by the City only after both of the first two conditions are satisfied. Based on this offer, and the representations made to me by the City concerning the Agreements, I will not attend the Board meeting on Thursday, February 7, 2008.

President John F. Kennedy once said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." It is now time for all of us to look forward and work together to insure a bright future for Carson City.

Sincerely,

Linda Ritter

City Manager