By: Brian Wells | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published January 20, 2023
ROSEVILLE — The city of Roseville has seen a change in its leadership.
Following almost 11 years of service to the city, former City Manager Scott Adkins decided to retire.
“I made the difficult decision to retire not so much as a choice but more of a necessity,” Adkins said in an email. “I felt that it was time for me to take on new challenges and opportunities.”
After interviewing four candidates, the City Council unanimously chose Police Chief Ryan Monroe to fill the vacancy Jan. 10.
“I thought that all four candidates did a fabulous job, and I commend every one of them for what they did, and I think council is impressed with the talent we have here, and we’re very fortunate for that,” City Attorney Tim Tomlinson said at the Jan. 10 meeting.
Reflecting on almost 11 years in Roseville
Adkins’ retirement comes just short of completing 11 years in the position. He was hired in February 2012 and was the first manager to be hired from outside the city’s workforce. Additionally, he was the first professionally trained and credentialed city manager, he said.
Regarding his time working for the city, Adkins said he will always remember and give credit to the team that he was able to assemble.
“The commitment of so many great staff members has been an asset to the community, and I will truly miss working with them,” he said. “Together we were able to accomplish a great deal of positive development and improvements for the benefit of residents and businesses.”
Adkins said he was especially proud of the financial stability and infrastructure and equipment updates that his team was able to achieve for the city.
“I was hired at a very critical time with an uncertain future and departed at a time in which the city had achieved solid financial footing and with many wonderful projects on the horizon,” he said.
His retirement came after a brief medical leave; however, he said it was not a main factor in his decision. Going forward, he will be operating his own municipal consulting company.
“I am not sure what the future holds for me, but I am excited to take on the new opportunities and adventures as they present (themselves),” he said. “I am glad to have been able to serve the city of Roseville, hoping to have done the best for the most while there. I wish only the best to the city and to Chief Monroe in his upcoming role.”
Monroe looks toward city’s future
At the City Council’s Jan. 10 meeting, council unanimously offered Monroe the position, pending successful negotiations on a contract.
“It’s always been my privilege and honor to serve this community, the men and women of my police department, the citizens of the city of Roseville, and now hopefully (I will) have a greater impact on the city and the rest of the employees,” Monroe said at the Jan. 10 meeting.
For his short-term plans, Monroe said his goal is to settle into the position and evaluate how each department is functioning while also establishing working relationships with each department head, which he hopes will lead to opportunities to help them improve operations.
Monroe also said he plans to work with the mayor and City Council to find ways to attract new residents and businesses to the city.
“My goal is to provide our residents and businesses with the best city services in Macomb County,” he said in an email.
As for the Police Department, Monroe said a new hiring process has already begun through the department’s Public Act 78 testing process, during which candidates will have to take a written and oral exam. The top candidate will be selected and offered the position, he said.
In a Jan. 17 email, Monroe said he was “still negotiating” the contract but he expected “to reach an agreement soon.”