Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch has announced her resignation – effective as of 4pm today, April 28. 

Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg will serve as acting city manager pending further action by City Council, a recent media release from the City, states. 

Human Resources Director Carrie Riepl said the hiring process will largely be determined by City Council. The first Council meeting of May – Monday, May 12 – will include an agenda item to discuss that process, Riepl said, including the appointment of an interim city manager. 

Stephanie Hirsch's 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!"

Hirsch stepped into the city manager role four years ago, in April 2022, becoming the first woman to hold the position. 

"I want to sincerely thank Stephanie Hirsch for her four years of dedicated service to Eau Claire as the City Manager," newly-elected City Council President Jeremy Gragert shared. "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.”

This is a developing story.