Blue Earth’s city administrator, Mary Athey, resigned from her position at a special City Council meeting on Thursday afternoon, Feb.13. Athey’s last day on the job will be on March 21, her letter of resignation stated.

Athey, who has been the city administrator for nearly five years, said she plans on continuing to live in Blue Earth, and that the reason she was leaving her position was because she had taken a different job in the private sector.

The City Council accepted Athey’s resignation regretfully and wished her well in her new endeavor.

Mayor Rick Scholtes presented a proposal to the council to retain the services of South Central Service Cooperative to help with the search for a new city administrator for the city.

“We have used them in the past,” Scholtes said. “They would handle all of the details in the hiring process.”

The cost would be up to $14,500, he said, which is similar to the last time they used them.

The council voted to proceed with using South Central Service Cooperative.

A proposed time line from SCSC shows that the position would be advertised in March and April, applications reviewed in April and May, interviews done in June, a new administrator hired in early July who would start in late July or early August.

In her letter of resignation, Athey stated she was “deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together. Working alongside such a talented team has been an honor, and I hold immense gratitude for the dedication and expertise of all who serve Blue Earth. This decision was not made lightly, and my time with the city has been both meaningful and impactful.”

She added that she is committed to a smooth transition and will provide a continuity plan to support the city until a new administrator is in place.