News Summary
Jim Crosland has resigned as city manager of Cayce after facing ongoing frustrations with the city’s leadership dynamics, particularly with Mayor Elise Partin. His resignation, effective August 8, 2025, highlights communication breakdowns and a toxic work environment. Having served less than a year, Crosland’s departure follows a troubling trend of rapid leadership turnover within the city, raising concerns about stability and employee morale. City officials are now tasked with finding a successor who can restore effective management and communication.
Cayce – Jim Crosland, who served as the city manager of Cayce, has resigned after less than a year in the position, citing persistent frustrations related to the city’s leadership dynamics, particularly with Mayor Elise Partin. Crosland’s resignation draws attention to significant internal communication issues and leadership turnover that have troubled the city.
In a resignation letter, Crosland revealed that he perceived the city as being governed by “two councils.” One was led by the mayor, while the other consisted of the other council members, resulting in a profound lack of communication between city management and the elected officials. His resignation, which will take effect on August 8, 2025, is a reflection of what he described as a “toxic environment” fostered by the mayor. Crosland retired early from his position after acquiring four months of qualified service time from the S.C. Public Employee Benefit Authority.
Originally appointed as interim city manager in July 2022, Crosland stepped into the role after the departure of former city manager Tracy Hegler. He had been with the city since 2016 and held several positions, including assistant director of the police department. His tenure has been marked by significant instability, including the recent exits of two city managers and two police chiefs in just over a year.
Issues with Leadership and Communication
Crosland’s letter emphasized the need for better communication protocols between city management and the council. Among his suggestions was establishing a formal accountability policy. He specifically noted that Mayor Partin often bypassed the chain of command, directly contacting and directing city employees without finally consulting Crosland. Such actions have fostered a difficult working atmosphere within the city.
Concerns regarding the mayor’s approach were echoed by other city staff who previously expressed discontent over Partin arranging informal meetings at her home with staff members, excluding Crosland from those discussions. Councilman Hunter Sox indicated surprise regarding the extent of the issues outlined in Crosland’s resignation letter, suggesting that these problems have severely impacted staff morale.
Furthermore, there was a notable incident where the mayor publicly disagreed with financial staff during a council meeting. This did not only highlight poor communication but also led to allegations of mismanagement of funds. In light of such challenges, Sox and fellow council member Phil Carter have expressed interest in having a third-party evaluation conducted to assess communication issues between the city staff and the council.
Leadership Turnover and Future Steps
The recent turnover in leadership roles within the city raises concerns about stability and employee trust. Staff anxiety has increased due to the rapid changes, with many citing a lack of consistent direction and support from leadership. Hegler, the former city manager, also left under contentious circumstances following a difficult budget process. This pattern of rapid leadership changes has led to an atmosphere of mistrust within the city staff.
In recognition of Crosland’s contributions to Cayce, various city officials, including the mayor herself, have acknowledged his efforts and wished him well in his new role as town administrator in Irmo, South Carolina, which is located in the same county as Cayce.
Looking ahead, the city officials have signaled their intention to quickly initiate the search for Crosland’s successor amidst these ongoing leadership transitions. The aim will be to find someone who can help stabilize the city’s management and restore effective communication among all parties involved.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tropical Storm Chantal Weakens After Hitting South Carolina
Job Layoffs Impact Over 100 Workers in Lexington County
Jenny Garris Appointed Executive Director of IT at Lexington 1
Columbia Approves $184 Million Budget Amid Financial Strain
Cayce to Begin Road Closures for Drainage Project
Cayce Appoints Michael Conley as New City Manager
Cayce, SC Faces Leadership Instability Amid Police Turmoil
Cayce City Council’s Funding for Chamber in Legal Limbo
Cayce Avenues Drainage Project Set to Begin Improvements
Cayce City Council Faces Scrutiny Over Unapproved Spending
Additional Resources
- WISTV: Cayce Promoting Deputy City Manager to Fill Role
- The State: Article on Cayce Leadership
- Post and Courier: Cayce City Manager Retiring
- Wikipedia: Cayce, South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cayce
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
