Chief Broderick Appointed Lincoln City City Manager Pro-Tem

The Lincoln City Council held an emergency meeting on Monday night to address a critical leadership gap following the termination of the City Manager Pro Tem David Benson after the council meeting on July 14th. The council unanimously voted for Police Chief Broderick to be appointed as the City Manager Pro Tem, with City Attorney David Robinson serving as backup. "I'm happy and willing to help in any way possible," said Chief Broadrick. "But there's going to have to be some teamwork that goes with this whole thing."

The council unanimously passed Resolution 2025-16, which officially ratifies the emergency declaration and grants Chief Broderick temporary administrative powers. The emergency stems from a lack of clear succession planning after the previous manager's departure. With no designated leader to sign contracts, oversee city operations, or manage critical administrative functions, the council moved quickly to prevent potential governmental gridlock.

Chief Broderick will have the authority to delegate responsibilities to department heads as needed. He said "There are a lot of things these department heads do that I don't do. Keeping that in mind, moving forward this way, I will just need some help." That help was offered by city attorney Robinson "I'm willing to serve as chief's backup," Robinson told the council, demonstrating his commitment to keeping city services running smoothly. His expertise as city attorney provides a unique safety net for Lincoln City during this transitional period. Robinson highlighted that he would help delegate responsibilities and ensure that critical city functions continue uninterrupted.

The council has also directed staff to immediately begin recruiting for a permanent City Manager or long-term Pro Tem. City officials emphasized this is a temporary solution, with plans to conduct a comprehensive search for permanent leadership in the coming months. The move ensures continuity of city services while providing a clear path forward for Lincoln City's governance.