Lawrence city leaders grateful for changes Markus made at City Hall, begin to consider next city manager

Though Lawrence city commissioners said they were sorry to hear City Manager Tom Markus’ announcement that he plans to resign, all said they are grateful for the changes he’s brought to City Hall.

Markus, 67, announced Tuesday that he plans to resign in the spring of 2019, which will mark approximately three years since he began his position as the city’s top administrator. When Markus was interviewed, he said he planned to hold the position a maximum of five years, and Markus said on Tuesday that he felt it was time for him to move on and that he hopes to spend more time with his family, including his six grandchildren.
Vice Mayor Lisa Larsen said she was sorry to hear about Markus’ decision, but that she understands his desire to spend more time with family. Larsen said though the city didn’t get the maximum of five years, the commission has gotten the shakeup at City Hall that it sought when hiring Markus.
“One of the reasons to have somebody from the outside come in is it gives you an opportunity to have somebody look at it from a whole different point of view,” Larsen said. “He has shown us where some of our weaknesses are.”