Former Plymouth city administrator Jordan Skiff sues city over firing him nine months into job

PLYMOUTH - Jordan Skiff, Plymouth's former city administrator, sued the city this month over his firing last October.

The Plymouth City Council voted to fire Skiff about nine months after he started as city administrator and utilities manager.

A city news release said the decision “was difficult for the Council” but did not give a reason for Skiff’s firing, and Mayor Don Pohlman told the Sheboygan Press at the time the city does not discuss personnel matters.

The council discussed Skiff’s termination in a closed session, despite Skiff’s request they talk in open session, according to court documents.

Skiff said he was terminated because of the council's "vague 'lack of confidence'" in his leadership, the Plymouth Review reported.

Skiff was employed as the Fond du Lac director of public works, a position he had held for about nine years, when he was approached about Plymouth’s city administrator job.

He relocated his family to the Plymouth area after accepting the job in Plymouth because he expected he would have the position for several years, until he retired, according to his complaint filed with Sheboygan County Circuit Courts.

“Every indication given by the city to Skiff was it was their intent that this employment was for the long term,” the complaint said.

The complaint alleges Skiff was terminated in violation of his employment contract because his termination was not for “malfeasance, misfeasance or willful misconduct as was spelled out in the agreement.”

Skiff's lawsuit also says the city breached a part of the employment agreement allotting him a maximum of six months’ salary as compensation if fired.

The "breach of contract" was “detrimental” to Skiff and caused financial damages greater than $60,000 as well as emotional distress and damage to his professional reputation, according to the complaint.

Skiff's lawsuit demands compensatory damages from the city in an amount yet to be determined.

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Reach Maya Hilty at 920-400-7485 or MHilty@sheboygan.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @maya_hilty.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Former Plymouth city administrator Jordan Skiff sues city over firing