Bill Hoke, City of Medford officially part ways

Medford, Ore. — Former Deputy City Manager Bill Hoke and the city of Medford have officially parted ways. In an agreement obtained by NBC5 News, the city agreed to pay Hoke 6 months severance pay, or nearly $75,000. Hoke’s employment ended with the city at the end of November.

City Manager Brian Sjothun says the separation is based solely on the city heading in a new direction.

“It isn’t that anyone did anything wrong or anything like that, he’s done great work over the 15 plus years, 16 years that he was here it’s just there’s a different direction that I would like to go as the city manager,” Sjothun says.

The city has long had 2 deputy city managers, however, both positions are now vacant. Sjothun says he plans to eliminate one of those positions entirely. The hope is to hire someone in 6 months. Sjothun hopes the next deputy city manager will focus heavily on bringing new business to Medford.