While the Keystone Heights City Council approved a new budget for 2023-24, which includes a 6.48% millage rate increase compared to last year’s rollback rate, members learned City Manager Lynn Rutkowski plans to tender her resignation.

Members were told informally before the special meeting to set the budget, and Rutkowski made her decision public shortly after the council approved the new millage rate and a final budget of $428,174.25 that goes into effect on Oct 1.

“I love it. It’s a struggle, but I love what I do. I love my job,” Rutkowski said.

Rutkowski asked members to extend the timeline in her contract so the city can take its time finding a replacement. She said she’s required to give a 90-day notice, and she asked for that to be extended to 120 days to eliminate the need to hire somebody on an interim basis. She hopes to work with the city attorney to identify her replacement.

Members clearly wanted her to reconsider.

“Before we can agree to an extension, we first have to accept your resignation,” Councilman Stephen Hart said. “I hope you will reconsider. I, for one, will not accept your resignation.

“Keystone is small, but there’s a lot going on – and it’s all in her head.”

Rutkowski said she’s unsure about her future plans, but with holidays approaching, her final day will likely be in January or early February.

In other business, the council learned the Keystone Heights High homecoming parade was canceled next week ahead of the Indians’ game against Crescent City for “financial and administrative” reasons.