Commissioners got a chance to speak their mind to outgoing City Manager Dave Slezickey on Monday.

They took full opportunity.

“Thank you very much for the work you’ve done and good luck,” Geoff Covalt said toward the end of a three hours-plus meeting.

Slezickey tendered his resignation to the city last month after accepting the same position at The Village in Oklahoma City.

Although his original “separation date” with the city was April 10, Slezickey said he could foresee the date being moved up due in part to accrued vacation and leave.

He was right. Slezickey’s final day with the city was Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Since his resignation, the commission appointed City Clerk Brittney Hladik the acting city manager.

“You’re not even going to notice that I’m not here,” Slezickey said at the meeting with a nod to Hladik on his left.

Commissioners took the time at their regular February meeting to reflect, but also wish Slezickey well.

“I want to wish you good luck on your next venture,” Covalt said. “We know you’ll do well.”

Slezickey has been with Kingfisher since May 2012.

“The testament to a good leader is leaving a situation better than when you came in,” Commissioner Kyle Mecklenburg said. “There’s absolutely zero doubt in anybody’s mind who knows anything about this city that we are in a better position now than we were 10 years ago.”

Vice Mayor Wendell Prim started serving on the commission in 2015.

“I’ve seen you grow,” Prim said. “And I’ve grown with you. I’ve called you many times and we’ve just talked about stuff.”

Prim said when constituents have asked him about certain issues, he encouraged them to “call the city manager.”

“They got to know you and they told me they were glad they got to know you,” Prim said. “And working with people isn’t easy.”

Mayor Roxie Alexander noted she was becoming emotional during that portion of the meeting. She’s on record being quite supportive of Slezickey during his tenure. “You know how I feel,” she said.

Mecklenburg said Slezickey was one of the reasons he chose to run for a seat on the commission.

“My decision was due partly to be able to work with you,” he said, “to move this city and go to the next step.”

Mecklenburg talked about the culture Slezickey built, it’s financial stability and the relationship city hall has with the community.

“This city is much better off that we’ve been able to have you the last 10 years,” he said.

Slezickey also took the time to thank the current commission, former commissioners and the city staff.

“It’s been a great ride,” he said. “It really has.”

He said part of what brought his family to Kingfi sher remains.

“The draw to Kingfisher is the community and that hasn’t changed,” he said. “There’s always people who are active and engaged in this community. People care, people listen and they’re willing to give it a try and that’s what makes this community great.”

He also told the commission, “you’re going to get someone good in here, probably someone better than me.”

Commissioners earlier in the meeting took another step toward finding that person.

They voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Oklahoma Municipal Management Services to aid in the search for the next city manager.

OMMS will be paid $12,000 for its services, plus expenses not to exceed $2,000.

Steve Whitlock, executive director of OMMS, was at the meeting and addressed commissioners’ questions.

His firm is prepared to “start advertising” for the position this week, he said.

Those interested have until March 31 to submit applications.

Once the hiring process reaches the “semifinalist phase,” OMMS will conduct background checks, Whitlock added.

Slezickey told the commissioners he’s confident they’ll find a quality successor.

“It doesn’t matter who’s sitting up here in this offi ce,” he said, pointing to his mostly empty space to his right. “They’re going to be welcomed in and they will not fail. I guarantee it.”