Wells City Administrator Ronda Allis, at her desk above, submitted her resignation to the city council last week.

Saying it was not the pressure or the displeasure of residents toward the city’s top administrative officials, the Wells city administrator resigned at Monday night’s council meeting.

Ronda Allis, who has been at the helm since January 2003, submitted a letter of resignation effective May 15.

“It’s been a great opportunity to serve and the city has accomplished some great things,” says Allis. “They have a great staff that will continue to do great things.”

In January, Allis and Jacobson came under fire for sewer line extensions done throughout the city, including an extension for a private property owner.

Mike and Cindy Weber and several residents accused members of the council of “conflict of interest” when they approved some of the work to be done.

“She’s costed me a lot of money, other people in town a lot of money and the taxpayers in Wells a lot of money,” says Weber. “I wish her luck I hope she does a better job where she is going.”

In addition, the residents complained that city officials closed meetings to the public a year earlier and data was not provided when they requested it.

“That’s always going to be part of any job. It’s part of life. That had no bearing on my decision,” Allis says.

Mayor Dave Jacobson says the resignation caught him by surprise, although he was aware awhile back that Allis was looking for other employment. “Without a doubt we’ll miss her. I don’t think the citizens will ever understand what she did and brought to the community,” says Jacobson.

The outgoing city administrator says her new job provides a different opportunity and now is a good time to make a transition.

“I’ve decided not to say where I am going at this point,” says Allis.

Although not indicating what her new job is, she did say she will still be working in the field of government. She added that her family will not be moving.

“This new job just kind of jumped up. We just can’t compete with bigger cities,” says Jacobson.

The city has already started looking for a replacement, placing ads in local newspapers. Applications are being accepted at City Hall and may also be made on the city’s website. They will be accepted until the position is filled.