Rochelle City Council met in special session Thursday night to name an interim city manager.

Following an hour-long executive session, council members unanimously voted to hire Sue Messer as the interim city manager for the city.

The interim period may last as long as six months from the date of the vacancy created by the outgoing city manager, per Rochelle City Code. Once the incoming council members are seated in May, the search will begin for a permanent city manager to fill the position.

“I truly appreciate the confidence the council has shown in me. The City of Rochelle is fortunate to have a very professional staff and I look forward to working with them to maintain a positive momentum until the full-time city manager is selected,” Messer said.

Messer has been with the City of Rochelle and RMU for more than 17 years. She currently administers and coordinates special projects, assists in developing and implementing policies and programs and conducts city council meetings in the absence of the city manager. In addition, she conducts and participates in biweekly staff meetings, conducts biweekly project management meetings to ensure staff accountability and develops city council agenda items and related background materials.

Messer serves as a city representative on both the police and fire pension boards, as Deputy Clerk for the city, is a member of the City of Rochelle Employee Committee, is a member of the city’s Emergency Management Planning Committee and assists with event planning. 

During her employment with the city, she has served under three city managers and one interim city manager.

Five city employees, including Messer, turned in applications for the interim position and three applications were received externally.

Following the resignation of Rochelle City Manager David Plyman two weeks ago, the City of Rochelle began the process of searching for a new city manager.
Plyman was one of the longest serving city managers in the history of Rochelle.