the board voted 4-2 to continue negotiations with him, which involved him submitting changes including a longer employment term than the original one-year the city had offered. Ultimately, Mayor Ron Sconce said after discussions between the board and Connell, the contract language remained largely unchanged. As a result, Connell sent out an

email Sunday evening indicating he w’as no longer interested in the position. Sconce said the contract’s term was the sticking point. “We can’t allocate resources beyond a one-year term ‘ Sconce said. ‘The board isn’t allow ed to commit to something beyond year-to-year.’ The city is still under contract with a recruitment firm, Baker Tilley out of Blue Springs, and Sconce said they will be consulting them as to wiiat to do next. Additionally, the board of aldermen is scheduled to meet in closed session Monday night to further discuss the situation. During the public portion of Monday night’s meeting, Sconce will again be nominating someone to fill the remainder of Kay Diekemper’s term. At the November meeting, the board rejected 3-2 his nomination of Michael Quezada.