Mayor ‘shocked’ by Midlands city’s separation from its chief executive, second major departure in a month

A tumultuous year for Cayce’s government continues, as the City Council voted Wednesday to part ways with its city manager.

The departure of Tracy Hegler, who has served as the top administrative official in the city of nearly 14,000 across the Congaree River from downtown Columbia since the fall of 2018, was ratified by a 4-1 vote. Deputy City Manager James Crosland will be promoted to an interim role while the city searches for a replacement for Hegler.

The decision came after the city council met in closed session for nearly four hours to get legal advice on road and employment issues. Mayor Elise Partin was the lone vote against what was called a “mutually agreed voluntary separation.”

The agenda for Wednesday’s city council meeting was revised the day before to add the item about Hegler’s job.

“I was shocked and surprised by what happened last night,” Partin said.

Partin said she was approached Monday by Mayor pro tempore Tim James about adding the item to the meeting.

“I asked specifically if there were any specific concerns, and none were communicated to me. I also asked the same question of two other council members, and neither could give me any specifics,” she said.

Neither Hegler nor James could immediately be reached for comment.

Last month, Hegler led city staff through a tense process to adopt a budget for the current fiscal year, appearing to disagree with some council members as she relayed the view that the city should raise property tax rates, water and sewer rates and sanitation fees. The budget the council approved canceled the sanitation fee increase but included increases to property taxes and water rates.

The city manager was blunt with both council and the state that the directive staff received on first reading to reduce the recommended water rate increase would leave staff unable to balance the budget while meeting its debt obligations.

“I think staff felt disrespected by the council during the budget process,” Partin said, noting that the budget she voted against cut cost-of-living increases in favor of a retention bonus that will be contingent on having enough money left over to pay it. “The council actually cost employees money by not giving them a cost-of-living adjustment. That disrespect made them unhappy. In some ways, I wonder if they think that’s Tracy’s responsibility and not that employees are individuals who can think for themselves and can watch our council meetings for themselves.”

In voting to part ways with Hegler, the council praised his performance.

“Tracy, while this is certainly a mutual decision, I want to emphasize that, as I did earlier tonight, even at the council meeting, I don’t think there are many people who can put a team together better than Tracy Hegler,” James said at the meeting. “And certainly, when it comes to ordinances and zoning, she’s probably the best I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s done a tremendous job of creating a culture where employees want to come and so we hire the best people and we have a number of them here right now. We retain the best people and we hire the best people,” Partin said at the meeting. “She’s helped us do what we do well, which is keep our taxes and fees low and still provide a very good quality of life.”

Hegler’s departure comes shortly after that of another top official. Chris Cowan, the city’s first police chief since its public safety department was split in 2022, left last month for another job.

Earlier this year, Partin accused his fellow city council members of illegally colluding to oust him from a number of local boards, continuing a trend of dramatic relationships among city officials in recent years.

“I want our employees to know that I am grateful for them,” Partin said. “I want them to know that they are respected, that they are taken care of. Our city is grateful for what they do, and we will get through this.”

This story will continue to be updated.