DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Decatur City Manager Tim Gleason is stepping down after less than two years back in the role.
“I had planned on being here longer … figured it would at least be two years,” Gleason said. “Sometimes you just need to make a decision, put yourself first. It’s time for me to move on.”
Gleason, who previously served in Decatur before taking a six-year post in Bloomington, returned in 2024. He said he was drawn back because of his ties to the community and the challenges the city faced.
“When I left, I went to Bloomington. I was there for six years, and I never lost contact with a lot of people here. I care about the community,” Gleason explained. “The mayor reached out and asked if I’d consider returning. She said, ‘We’ve got some problems, I think you’re the right person that can step right in and fix it.’ And I said yes almost immediately.”
Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe praised Gleason’s leadership and said his departure is a major loss for Decatur. She noted his reputation as a trusted city manager with innovative ideas and the ability to fix problems.
"He is one of the best managers, probably in the country. He's well respected, good at his job, gets things done, and now we are going to lose him," she said.
Since arriving in Decatur for the second time, Gleason said, when he arrived, he took a closer look at spending and projects and addressed concerns, and helped tighten up procedures.
"These problems that I'm mentioning they were isolated. You know, this is not a widespread problem within this organization. And, the people that were involved in that, at the leadership level, they're no longer here," said Gleason.
In a media release sent to WAND News on Tuesday, the City of Decatur said Gleason submitted a formal letter to the City Council. The Council said it respects the reasons for his departure, but the reasons for his departure were not shared in the city's announcement.
Moore Wolfe spoke to WAND News on Tuesday following the announcement. She said Gleason's decision to resign was influenced by what she described as “a toxic work environment caused by one councilman.”
She added, “This didn’t need to happen. He’s not leaving here for something better. He’s leaving because it’s toxic, caused by one individual on our council. Tim is one of the best managers, probably in the country. Now we’re going to lose him, and it didn’t have to happen.”
Moore Wolfe later clarified for WAND News that she was speaking on behalf of Councilman David Horn's behavior.
However, Gleason never mentioned Councilman Horn or cited him as the reason for his departure during Tuesday's interview with WAND News.
WAND News sat down with Councilman Horn in response to the allegations.
“I have no response to the mayor calling me a toxic individual. I am committed to working collaboratively with the mayor and the council and city staff to make Decatur a better place."
Horn said he takes seriously the trust residents place in him and believes council members must remain focused on improving the quality of life in the city.
“I am honored and humbled that they routinely contact me to ask for my help. It’s something that I take very seriously,” Horn said. “We need city council members that are resident-centered and focused on how we can improve the quality of life for everyone.”
Gleason’s last day is Oct. 31. Mayor Moore Wolfe said the council will appoint an interim city manager before beginning what could be a months-long search for his permanent replacement.
Despite his early exit, Gleason said he believes he is leaving Decatur in a stronger position. “There’s a number of decisions that had to be made, corrections, and I think the foundational steps are in place so that whoever steps into this role is able to take that and build upon it,” Gleason said. “I’m very pleased and happy to have been able to serve alongside the men and women that work here at the city.”
WAND News has asked for Gleason's resignation letter through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, but we have not received it.
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