Springfield city manager withdraws from job search in Manhattan, Kansas

After being named one of four finalists for a city manager job in Manhattan, Kansas, Springfield City Manager Jason Gage has withdrawn his candidacy. Gage has worked for the city of Springfield for six years.

Gage was hired in 2018 after working in Salina, Kansas, for 18 years also as city manager. When he was hired, he made $220,000, but the most recent amendment to his employment agreement, the fourth of its kind, increased his salary to $267,644.52 in September.

Gage was announced as one of four finalists selected for the Kansas position from a field of 50 applicants in early July. Gage had the most experience in local government of the four. The city held in-person interviews and community engagement events July 22-23 that Gage attended. City's chief spokesperson Cora Scott confirmed Gage's decision to withdraw and noted that he withdrew Wednesday, July 24, ahead of the Manhattan City Commission's deliberations.

"After weighing all factors, leaving Springfield just didn’t feel right," Scott shared as Gage's statement regarding the decision.

During Gage's tenure, the city has experienced a turnover in leadership both from resignations and retirements. Within the past three years, the city has seen resignations from leaders of Workforce Development, Building Development Services and Planning and Development and has also dealt with long-time employees retiring from the positions of City Attorney and director of Planning and Development, as well as Springfield-Greene County Health Department positions.

More: Springfield city manager named a finalist for position search in Kansas

The city has also embarked on a number of infrastructure projects during this time, include the Grant Avenue Parkway and Jefferson Avenue Streetscape projects. The city has also laid the groundwork for daylighting Jordan Creek and reopening the historic Jefferson Avenue footbridge.

Known as the "Little Apple," Manhattan is located in the northeast of the state roughly 60 miles west of Topeka and home to Kansas State University. According to the Decennial Census data, Manhattan has a population of approximately 54,000, compared to Springfield's 169,000.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield city manager withdraws from job search in Manhattan, Kansas