KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – After dismissing their previous manager last month, Kalamazoo Township this week began the process to find a replacement.
Township Manager Dexter Mitchell, who had held that role for around seven years, was fired after being charged with eavesdropping on a private meeting at the township hall.
Township trustees voted 4-3 Monday to begin their search internally by interviewing people who already work for the township. Before any decisions are made, the board agreed that a committee comprised of the fire chief, police chief, and three board members, will come up with a formal job description and salary range for the position.
He has been charged with a felony for allegedly secretly recording a meeting of township leaders. Mitchell has been on paid administrative leave for the past ten months while the Michigan State Police investigated the incident.
Township officials say Mitchell was terminated because of “an act of dishonesty” and “malfeasance in office, including being criminally charged.”
Mitchell was arraigned February 15, 2024 for an incident that happened in March 2023. He allegedly left a recording device in a meeting room where township officials were consulting with their attorney. Mitchell later admitted to the recording in an interview with investigators.
Sounds like a classic George Costanza move.