Retirement surprises many in city

Jerry Gwaltney’s decision to retire as Danville’s city manager sent shock waves and disappointment throughout the community Wednesday, even catching city officials by surprise.
“I definitely was shocked,” City Councilman Adam Tomer said Wednesday. “I knew he was coming to the time he would make the decision in the next couple of years, but I don’t think any of us anticipated it this year.”
Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders said Gwaltney gave him no indication he was leaving.
He said he first heard the news when a local reporter called and asked him to confirm Gwaltney’s decision.
Saunders said he called the city and was told e-mails had been sent out. Gwaltney e-mailed a memo to the mayor and city council members shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Saunders would not speculate on who will take over the city manager’s duties until the city hires a permanent replacement. Gwaltney will retire on June 30 after eight years as city manager.
“Council will need to meet as a body to make that decision,” Saunders said.
During a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon, Gwaltney said he didn’t think his decision was sudden and that those close to him knew he was considering a departure. He said he would like to use his municipal experience as a consultant to other local governments in the region, yet still have time to play golf and spend time with family.
Gwaltney said he wants to get away from the 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week pressure of running the city government.
“I think it’s time to go and do some other things,” Gwaltney said.
However, one councilman speculates that city finance issues could have pushed the city manager toward a sooner-than-expected departure.
“We’re in the middle of a budget crisis, and it looks like it’s not going his way,” City Councilman David Luther said Wednesday. “He may feel like council’s not supporting him. But that’s just a guess.”
At council’s May 20 meeting, Tomer, Luther and Councilman E. Stokes Daniels voted against a motion to keep the real estate tax rate at 77 cents per $100 of assessed value. They would like to roll the rate back to 73 cents per $100 of assessed value, keeping residents’ tax bills about the same as last year’s since real estate assessments have increased about 5.9 percent.
Lowering the rate would leave the city’s proposed $252.9 million budget with a $600,000 shortfall, according to Gwaltney.
He said the budget impasse was a factor in his decision to retire, but not an overwhelming one.
Danville City Council will hold a special called meeting Friday to discuss and possibly vote on a real estate tax rate. The city has until June 30, Gwaltney’s last day, to finalize its budget.
Staff writers Sarah Arkin and Bernard Baker contributed to this report.
Contact John R. Crane at jcrane@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7987.