Prior Lake city manager announces retirement

Prior Lake American

After 26 years of working with the city of Prior Lake, Frank Boyles announced Wednesday he will retire from his position as city manager in March 2019.

Boyles will continue to serve as city manager through February 2019 and as an as-needed advisor through August 2019, according to a news release from the city.

Boyles said there were sporadic conversations about the idea of his retirement over the last several years.

“It has been a subject on and off each year during my evaluation time and it’s probably gotten more specific as the years have gone by,” Boyles said. “I’m 67 years old, after all. Naturally, just my age brings up the question and the length of my tenure. ... I was debating it out loud myself.”

Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs said the city council began talking about Boyles’ retirement earlier this year in order to plan ahead.

“The managers are reviewed every year, and manager Boyles had a great 2017,” Briggs said. “Conversations were there and it was all around planning and being thoughtful to provide the city of Prior Lake enough time to be able to initiate the search but ensure a smooth transition.”

Boyles said he is most proud of the staff members he’s worked with, overseeing the construction of seven public buildings and the redevelopment of the five community parks and the city’s reputation for services and collaboration with cities, counties, townships, school districts and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

In an email to staff members, Boyles said he remembered a specific instance where police officers carried an elderly man up the stairs on Thanksgiving.

“As an example of service above and beyond, tears still come to my eyes as I recall the story of two of our police officers who literally carried an elderly man up the stairs at his grandchildren’s home so he could join the family in what was probably his last Thanksgiving,” Boyles wrote. “This is Prior Lake. This is you. Thank you for everything. I am forever in your debt.”

Boyles said he is a hard worker and that it might be difficult to fully retire — he plans on helping out with some of his children’s home improvement projects.

“I’m a worker,” Boyles said. “I know I should be transitioning into another portion of my life, but it’s so much easier to stick with the tried and true. ... This community, it’s such a great community. But there is a time and this is the time.”

Briggs said Boyles has been a mentor to many former city staff.

“You can’t talk about a city (nearby) and not talk about three or four former staff members that Frank developed, mentored and oversaw their career growth that they then left for sometimes larger, bigger cities,” Briggs said.

Briggs said Boyles even mentored him as a new mayor.

“He has helped develop me as he’s developed his own people and the city,” Briggs said. “Frank has been excellent for me, personally, to work with. ... That’s a piece that for me, I will have a sense of loss.”

Briggs and council member Mike McGuire will oversee the search process for the next city manager, with direction from the Prior Lake City Council. The search process is expected to begin immediately and could include help from an executive search firm to ensure a new city manager is in place by Feb. 1 of next year.

“There have been conversations with the council members about what are the attributes of our current city manager we want to make darn sure we carry forward,” Briggs said. “To me, I am looking forward to hearing from our citizens on some of the attributes they’d like to see.”

Boyles said a good city manager will be one who can focus on multiple projects.

“I have a little touch of ADHD, but the city manager is perfect for a person with that kind of persuasion,” Boyles said. “You have to be able to take on eight or nine different topics during the course of the day. That’s why I love doing it.”

Briggs said he hopes Boyles is recognized for his work with the city.

“I’m truly hopeful manager Boyles receives praise that he deserves and the recognition through this announcement,” Briggs said. “It’s going to be challenging for the city for the transition, primarily because of the long service Frank has given us.”