Montrose, CO — Following 15 years of service to the Montrose community, City of Montrose Manager Bill Bell and the Montrose City Council have agreed to separate, effective immediately. Deputy City Manager Ann Morgenthaler has been appointed as the interim city manager by the City Council, effective Tuesday evening, September 1, following the council’s regular meeting.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, the city manager and the City Council released statements:
Statement from Bill Bell:
Dear Montrose Community members, City of Montrose staff, and Past and Present City Councilmembers:
It has been with great pride and pleasure that I have been able to serve you all as your City Manager over the past 15 years. I have been blessed by so many opportunities over the years to work with our residents; non-profits; local community partners; and regional and state government representatives in an effort to implement many projects designed to carry the Montrose community into the future. It has been a very rewarding and exciting experience, and I am so appreciative of the positive impact it has had on me and my family. Montrose is a wonderful place and will continue to be so for decades to come.
I want to thank the current City Council members for their willingness to entertain my request for an amicable and mutual separation through an agreed-upon strategy. I truly believe this is what is in the best interests of the City of Montrose, as both an organization and as a community, at the current time.
William E. Bell, City Manager
On behalf of the Montrose City Council
This evening, following the conclusion of an executive session requested by the City Manager during the City Council meeting of Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the City Council made the difficult decision to accept a mutual separation agreement with City Manager William E. Bell, effective immediately.
Mr. Bell has served the City of Montrose with dedication for the past fifteen years. Throughout his tenure, he provided professional administrative leadership and devoted substantial energy to the operations and advancement of our community. The City Council is grateful for the time and service Mr. Bell has given to Montrose and to the residents he served.
We wish Mr. Bell every success and fulfillment in this new chapter for him and his family.
To ensure continuity of city operations and uninterrupted service to the public, Deputy City Manager Ann Morgenthaler, who has long served as Mr. Bell’s deputy, will assume the role of Interim City Manager, effective immediately. Ms. Morgenthaler will serve in that capacity until such time as the City Council identifies and appoints a suitable permanent successor.
The City Council remains committed to stable, professional, and effective leadership for the City of Montrose. City services will continue without interruption during this transition.
We thank the residents of Montrose for their continued trust and support.
Respectfully,
Michael J. Badagliacco
Mayor
City of Montrose, Colorado