City Manager Announces Resignation
Dear Community Members,
Today, the City Council received correspondence from City Manager Stephanie Hirsch indicating her resignation effective at 4 pm today, April 28, 2026. During her tenure, Ms. Hirsch has demonstrated forward-thinking leadership and a willingness to approach challenges in innovative ways, always with an eye toward building a stronger future for the community. Her service has also been historic, as she is the City’s first female City Manager, marking an important milestone in the City’s leadership.
On behalf of the City Council, City staff, and the community, we extend our sincere appreciation for her dedication and profound commitment to serving the residents of Eau Claire. Her contributions have had a meaningful and lasting impact on the organization and the community.
“I want to sincerely thank Stephanie Hirsch for her four years of dedicated service to Eau Claire as the City Manager. She is one of the most hardworking people I know, and I wish her the very best in her career and efforts to improve her community.”
- Jeremy Gragert, Eau Claire City Council President
"During her four years in the role of City Manager, Stephanie demonstrated tireless dedication and an unparalleled work ethic. Stephanie's love of Eau Claire was apparent to all. She introduced new strategies to engage with community members including hosting annual district discussions & city circuits, the creation of a weekly City Manager Newsletter, and establishment and revitalization of multiple neighborhood associations. I thank Stephanie for her time spent serving our community and wish her well in her next chapter."
- Council Vice President Schoen
During this time of transition for the City of Eau Claire, Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg will be Acting City Manager pending further action by Council on appointment of an Interim City Manager and a recruitment process for our next City Manager. Mr. Solberg may be contacted at Dave.Solberg@EauClaireWI.gov or 715-839-4902 with regard to pending and future matters for the City Manager.
Media inquires should be directed to Council President Gragert at 715-255-0269.
We wish Stephanie the very best in her future endeavors. Her resignation statement is below.
Stephanie Hirsch Resignation Statement:
I would like to inform you that I am resigning my position as Eau Claire City Manager effective at 4 p.m. today, April 28, 2026.
It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as City Manager in my most awesome hometown. The position of City Manager is a political one that’s very much in the public eye, and serving in any leadership role requires humility. One of my dad's quotes is that we should "show up, do the work that needs doing, and stay until it is complete". The work is of course never complete, though, so it’s not always possible to stay until it’s complete. We can, however, keep taking steps forward that help others and our community. You all do that every day – our staff, our Council Members, our residents, our partners, and our community advocates. You all show up for Eau Claire day after day.
I'm grateful to our Council and community for the opportunity to serve. I want to share a special appreciation for my co-workers who are exceptional in their dedication, skills, and character. It has been an inspiration to work with you all, and working with you has made each day fun and interesting.
I look forward to cheering on the efforts of our City leaders in the future as they tackle all that's ahead. And I hope to help our City or community in some (hopefully less stressful!) role. Our Council and City staff will weather all storms that come with resilience, as our community leaders have always done. Thank you again to everyone who has worked with me in so many different ways over the last four years. You all are the absolute best!
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