CITY ASSESSOR COLOMBO ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

City Assessor Thomas Colombo has announced his resignation from the City of Midland, effective immediately.

Colombo, who was named City Assessor in January 2004, resigned to accept a position as Deputy Director of Equalization for Wayne County, Mich. Prior to joining the City staff, Colombo had been employed by the Wayne County Equalization Department as a project leader.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my short tenure with the City of Midland, and I feel badly about leaving so soon, but Wayne County really wanted me to come back. The offer I received from them is very beneficial financially to me and my family, and simply could not be passed up,” said Colombo. “I had no idea when I accepted the position in Midland that Wayne County would or could recruit me so persistently.”

“To say that we are disappointed Tom is leaving would be an understatement,” said Fiscal Services Director Bob Fisher. “It was our plan for him to oversee the Assessing Department for the next three years and mentor members of our staff in attaining the necessary qualifications to become City Assessor. I do understand, however, that this was a difficult decision for Tom. The City of Midland could not match the offer he received from Wayne County.”

Although the resignation again leaves the City without a state-certified Level 4 Assessor, Colombo has indicated that his agreement with Wayne County provides him the flexibility to supervise and sign the 2005 assessment roll on a contractual basis, if needed. Prior to becoming a City employee, Colombo performed this function for the City since 2001.

The City has conducted two comprehensive searches in the last four years for a Level 4 Assessor, and currently has no plans to make another attempt, but will instead continue to develop a replacement from within its current staff. Deputy Assessor Roger Elbers has been named Acting Assessor.