Oakridge (KMTR) - The latest development in the Oakridge missing money mystery leaves the city without a city manager on its payroll.At it’s meeting Thursday evening, the Oakridge City Council first voted on whether to fire City Manager Gordon Zimmerman. That vote failed four votes to three, which drew boos from the crowd in the room. The next vote, accepting Zimmerman’s immediate resignation, passed by the same margin.
Zimmerman, who did not attend Thursday night's meeting, will receive two months of severance pay.
Earlier this year, Oakridge city leaders discovered its accounts were inexplicably missing nearly $500,000. There was talk of layoffs and service cuts to fill the budget shortfall.
The city hired a forensic accountant to get to the bottom of the money mystery. The accountant found that the city had spent well beyond its means and that Zimmerman approved several $100,000 transfers. However, she did not find any evidence of fraud.
Oakridge Mayor Don Hampton says the city will have to go without a city manager until he and city council pick someone to fill the post on an interim basis. Later, the council will choose a permanent replacement.
The mayor told NewsSource 16 that accepting Zimmerman's resignation is the most cost-effective way for the city to handle the crisis.
