Interim city manager appointed in Comanche

Charlene Belew, The Duncan Banner, Okla.
·2 min read

May 18—COMANCHE — The City of Comanche will have a new face leading the way during the interim as the hunt for a permanent city manager continues.

After several questions from the public, Comanche City Council unanimously appointed Wayne McCasland to the interim city manager position for the town during a routine meeting Tuesday, May 14. The appointment comes after former city manager Chuck Ralls, who held the position since 2016, announced his departure to move into the same position for the City of Collinsville, Oklahoma, which became official on May 9.

Some in the crowd questioned if McCasland would still be with the police department and if he had enough experience and education to lead the city until a new manager was found.

Dennis McQuinn also pointed out the potential for a conflict of interest if McCasland continued on as a reserve while in the city manager's chair.

"I think it creates a conflict of interest," McQuinn said. "With Wayne being city manager — him being city manager, that's fine — but him being a reserve creates a conflict of interest because as city manager, he's (police chief Cory Faulk's) boss, as a reserve, Cory's his boss."

McQuinn suggested McCasland surrender his badge while he took on the interim role. It was decided surrendering the badge was agreeable, but others questioned if McCasland would receive multiple salaries for the interim position, as well as code enforcer and dog catcher. The answer was no.

One other person was recommended to the position, but the council unanimously appointed McCasland to interim role.

McCasland was also appointed to the SCOEA (South Central Oklahoma Environmental Authority) board.

Council also approved lowering the city manager spending limit to $5,000.

In other news, the council approved:

—The budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.

—Surplussing a walk in freezer at the nutrition center and donating it to Christian Helping Hands.

—Tabling an item related to the discussion for the Field of Dreams.

The next routine meeting for Comanche City Council is scheduled for June 11.