The City of Purcell is currently in the market for a new city manager and a new treasurer after the council voted to place Sam Demel on administrative leave in a special meeting last week.

Current treasurer Victor Lohn officially retired October 31 but signed a contract to work part-time until a new treasurer is on the ground.

Police chief Bobby Elmore has stepped in as the interim city manager.

The city attorney and mayor Graham Fishburn have been authorized to work out a severance package with Demel.

Demel was officially hired Nov. 20, 2023 and assumed the position in January serving for nine months.

Demel was previously the city administrator for Kiowa, KS.