Breaking: Milton-Freewater City Council fires city manager
Published 10:04 pm Monday, October 13, 2025
MILTON-FREEWATER — Milton-Freewater is in need of a new city manager.
The city council at its meeting Monday, Oct. 13, voted to fire Chad Morris from his position as city manager.
Mayor Mike Odman confirmed the decision, saying the termination goes into effect Oct. 14.
The city in May 2024 hired Morris on a contract for $160,000 a year after a nationwide search for someone to replace former city manager Linda Hall. Morris came to Milton-Freewater from Niceville, Florida, population about 15,800, where he was deputy city manager.
The council’s action came after Morris’ annual performance review in September, which yielded less than ideal ratings. The results from that discussion were finalized Thursday, Oct. 9, the mayor said.
Odman said after the council meeting that while he appreciated Morris’ dedication and efforts for the community, “It just wasn’t the right fit.”
The immediate plan is to seek an interim manager from outside the city’s government structure to take on the city manager duties.
“There are people out there that can step in at a moment’s notice while we fill that position full time,” Odman said.
More to come.