Members divided in four to three vote; questions remain as to reasons of firing
The Muskegon Heights City Council has voted to terminate current City Manager Troy Bell’s employment at the end of this month.
In a divided city council, members voted 4-3 on Monday to fire Muskegon Heights City Manager Troy Bell, terminating his contract effectively on January 31st.
The big question: Why?
At the time of this report, attempts by WGVU were made to speak with several city council members including current Muskegon Heights Mayor Walter Watt, (who did not agree with the termination and voted against the idea) as well as councilwoman Bonnie McGlothin who voted yes.
Bell’s tenure began in controversy. After the council hired him as City Manager in early 2020, the group voted to suspend him a few months later after he entered into a software contract without the city council’s consent, as well questions surrounding his salary.
And according to the New Orleans Advocate, prior to coming to Muskegon Heights, Bell resigned from his position as chief administrative officer of East Baton Rouge five days after being offered the job, after being accused of falsifying his resume.
Since his time in Muskegon Heights, Bell is credited with helping shape the city’s “Reaching New Muskegon Heights” campaign, a multi-million-dollar effort to revitalize the city’s downtown corridor.
Calls to City Manager Troy Bell’s office were not returned as well. WGVU will update this story as details become available.