HUTCHINSON, Kan. – UPDATE – The Hutchinson City Council held a special meeting this afternoon at 1:00pm. After recessing into executive session for one hour, Mayor Scott Meggers made the following statement: “The City is aware of the public statement issued today by City Manager Enrico Villegas and City Attorney Cody Smith. At this time, neither has formally submitted a resignation to the City. The governing body is requesting formal, written resignations so the City can appropriately move forward. We do not have any further information to share at this time.”
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas alongside City Attorney Cody Smith officially stepped down from their roles today, pointing to an environment they described as increasingly untenable and hostile.
In a statement, the departing officials emphasized that leaving their posts was a difficult choice, as they had strongly hoped to maintain their public service to the community. However, they claim workplace conditions sharply declined after they voiced operational questions surrounding the Hutchinson Recreation Commission, the Hutch Rec Foundation, and the Dillon Nature Center Foundation. Specifically, Villegas and Smith identified ongoing actions by City Council Member Stacy Goss as a primary driving factor behind the workplace atmosphere that prompted their decision.
Reflecting on their tenure, the pair expressed pride in their administrative accomplishments and voiced sincere gratitude toward residents for the opportunity to serve Hutchinson. Additionally, they stressed that their resignation should not minimize the red flags raised regarding the local rec entities and affiliated foundations. Villegas and Smith urged that these lingering institutional issues must still be thoroughly investigated and handled via proper oversight channels moving forward.
City leadership has not yet announced interim appointments or a transition plan for the city manager and city attorney positions.
