News Summary
Cayce is undergoing significant leadership upheaval as city manager Jim Crosland and finance director Kelly McMullen prepare to leave their positions. This follows a year of instability within city management, including the resignation of police chiefs and a controversial exit of a former city manager. Mayor Elise Partin remains the only woman on the city council, amid rising concerns about governance, job security, and a potential resurgence of a ‘good old boy network.’ The city is actively searching for a new city manager as it navigates these transitions.
Cayce is experiencing a significant leadership turnover, as several key positions within the government are set to change in the coming weeks. This turnover includes the departure of city manager Jim Crosland, who will leave his post to become the town administrator of Irmo starting on July 7, 2025. Additionally, finance director Kelly McMullen is also preparing to exit her role, further contributing to the sense of instability within Cayce’s city management.
The city of Cayce, which currently has approximately 13,600 residents, has faced considerable leadership changes over the past year. Mayor Elise Partin remains the sole woman from the original trio of female members on the five-person city council. The ongoing departure of significant figures such as Crosland and McMullen has raised concerns about governance and city operations.
Jim Crosland, who has been with the Cayce administration since 1998 and became city manager in December 2024, announced his retirement on May 6, 2025, before swiftly accepting a new position in Irmo. His decision comes on the heels of a challenging year for the city’s leadership, characterized by two resignations of police chiefs and former city manager Tracy Hegler’s controversial exit following a contentious budget process last summer.
McMullen’s exact departure date is yet to be determined, but she is expected to leave in the coming weeks. With her exit, Allison Barrs, the financial reporting manager, will be promoted to municipal treasurer, continuing the trend of leadership changes within the finance department.
The city has also seen significant instability in its police department, which has lost two police chiefs in a short span. Chris Cowan and Herbert Blake both left their positions, with Blake’s resignation coming only three months into his term, raising concerns about a hostile work environment. The new police chief, Bruce Wade, was sworn in on May 21, 2025, and is the third individual to hold the role within the past year.
Past leadership issues have contributed to the current turmoil. Hegler’s separation followed an extensive closed executive session that resulted in a mutual separation agreement. Mayor Partin was the sole dissenting vote during this decision and has since vocalized her concerns regarding the council’s transparency and the decision-making process involved in appointing new leadership.
The dynamics of the city council have deteriorated significantly, resulting in conflict and bickering among members. Mayor Partin has described the resurgence of a “good old boy network” following the influx of male council members from recent elections. The internal atmosphere is further complicated by allegations that council members may be treating female leadership candidates unfairly during appointment processes.
Furthermore, city employees have expressed concerns about job security and potential raises amid fears of layoffs due to budget constraints. There has been an ongoing discussion about employee compensation, particularly regarding the importance of cost-of-living adjustments to deter staff turnover. Although the council ultimately decided against passing the necessary adjustments, they did agree to offer one-time retention bonuses instead.
The city council is in the process of creating a job listing for a new city manager, with plans to conduct interviews for candidates in June. Former council member Skip Jenkins has highlighted the necessity of teamwork within the council for effective governance, emphasizing that a united leadership is crucial for maintaining stability and performance in city operations.
As Cayce navigates these leadership transitions and the challenges that have arisen from them, many residents and employees remain hopeful for a positive resolution, which will ultimately enhance the governance of their city.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Cayce, S.C. Appoints Bruce Wade as New Police Chief
Cayce Leaders Address Redistricting and Fire Safety
Cayce City Council Advances Redistricting Efforts
Columbia, South Carolina Prepares for Legislative Session
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Infighting and Turmoil at Cayce City Hall
- Wikipedia: Cayce, South Carolina
- MSN: Cayce City Council Swears In Police Chief
- Google Search: Cayce leadership turmoil
- Lexington Chronicle: Cayce Police Department Welcomes New Chief
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Governance
- WACH: Cayce City Council Names Jim Crosland as New City Manager
- Google News: Cayce City Council
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