Fills city manager spot after Reaves resignation
By Barb Pert Templeton
The recent resignation of Marine City Manager Michael Reaves was formally accepted by the commission at it’s May 21 meeting and former City Manager Scott Adkins was then appointed the interim city manager.
The ongoing musical chairs in the city manager’s office has meant several new faces over the last four years including Adkins, who spent about 18-months in that lead role before stepping down when Reaves was hired, in October of 2024. Right after that transition Adkins agreed to stay on with the city as a part-time project administrator.
Now Adkins will return on an interim basis as the at-will interim city manager. The contract provided in a May 21 city commission meeting packets states Adkins will serve in the position for a term of 90-days, working 30 hours a week at a rate of $65 per hour.
If there are additional hours billed Adkins must provide a memo as to why it was necessary. The contract also states that the city or the employee (Adkins) can terminate the contract with 14 days written notice. It also states that he is not entitled to any city offered benefits.
Former Marine City Manager and current project administrator Scott Akins has been appointed the interim city manager in Marine City.
At the recent meeting where Reaves resignation and Adkins contract were accepted by the commission Mayor Jennifer Vandenbossche and Commissioner Sean O’Brien doubled checked that Adkins was on board with everything in the contract because he was not at the meeting.
“Yes, there were multiple meetings and multiple phone conferences,” City Attorney Robert Davis replied. “Scott had a lot of input.”
Vandenbossche also added that Adkins already indicated he won’t make the first commission meeting in June because he had an out-of-state vacation planned.
Kudos to Mike Reaves
Many of the commissioners took a few moments during their commissioner comments to thank Reaves for his work on behalf of the city.
“It’s been so wonderful working with you, I’ve learned so much,” O’Brien said. “Thank you for your time here and your service to the community.”
“I’d like to thank Mike for helping us out it’s been great, you got a lot of stuff done,” Commissioner Rita Roehrig said.
Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick thanked Reaves for the time he spent in the community and his willingness to meet and spend time with residents, something the city hasn’t had from a city manager in a long time.
Marine City Manager Michael Reaves resignation will be effective on June 4, 2026.
“I also enjoyed working with you Mike, I’ve never gotten so much information from a city manager,” Hendrick said.
“Thank you for the time you spent here with us in the city, it did not go unnoticed in any way,” Vandenbossche added.
Reaves says it was an honor to serve
In a resignation later dated May 7 and part of the May 21 commission meeting packet Reaves noted that his departure is effective June 4, 2026.
In his letter he also stated that it was an honor to serve the community and work alongside “dedicated staff, elected officials, business leaders and residents.”
“The decision was not made lightly but I believe it is the right time for both me and the city,” Reaves wrote.
He further stated that he was happy to provide the necessary assistance to help the commission with the process in identifying his replacement and he was certainly willing to work towards providing leadership continuity for all the projects currently taking place in the city.
