TALLADEGA — The Talladega City Council formally accepted the resignation of manager Michael Stampfler and agreed unanimously to release him from his contract now rather than in July, but was divided on how to proceed from here.

Stampfler, who was not present, did not give a reason for his resignation in the note, stating only that he would have two years of service as of July 7, fulfilling the ethics standard set out by the International City Managers’ Association. His proposed last day on the job would have been July 15.

Councilman Lance Grissett made the motion to “respectfully receive” the notice, and Councilman Eddie Tucker seconded it.

Councilman Jimmy Davis made the motion to go ahead and release Stampfler from his contract “effective this week. We’ll go ahead an pay him his 60 days and he can be gone as of tomorrow.”

Councilman Donnie Miller had to leave the meeting early, so by the time discussion of hiring an interim manager rolled around, the remaining councilmen found themselves split 2-2. Miller said just before he left that he felt “no rush” to name an interim manager immediately, however.

Grissett and Council President Horace Patterson said they were in favor of widely advertising the position and throwing it open to anyone who wanted to apply. Davis said he wanted the job posted for city employees first, and Tucker said he was in favor of naming assistant city manager Brian Muenger to the interim position immediately.

Davis expressed some concern that throwing the position open to the public would take too long, but Patterson assured him the process could be done in two weeks.

In the meantime, Patterson called for a formal request that the department heads continue running their departments while submitting budgetary information and cost-cutting proposals to Finance Director Teri St. James. A budget meeting scheduled for Thursday was cancelled and moved to June 1, and will now be a full council meeting.

Mayor Brian York and Muenger were authorized to sign contracts on behalf of the city. Purchases of up to $1,500 can be approved by the department heads and Patterson, with the consent of three other council members, will be authorized to approve larger purchases. Terry Hanner, director central purchasing, will continue monitoring for compliance with bid laws and other issues.

Personnel officer Cathy Fuller was asked to provide the council with copies of the current job description and recommendations for a salary schedule for the interim manager based on other cities.