GARDINER -- The city has terminated finance administrator Patricia Coty.

City Manager Jeff Kobrock said Tuesday Coty is not an employee and city officials will decide what to do about the open position.

Coty was placed on administrative leave in early April.

Kobrock declined to detail Coty's dismissal, saying he is prevented by law from discussing personnel matters.

He said city government in Gardiner is a small operation and every position is important.

"Whenever there's a vacancy in a key position, we take time to review our current structure and determine if there is any changes we need to make or any improvements that can be accomplished," Kobrock said. "We'll do that review and proceed from there."

The finance administrator slot will be discussed during the municipal budget process, he said, which has to be completed by July 1.

Mayor Andrew MacLean said he assumes the position will be a topic of discussion at budget planning meetings. Other than that, he couldn't predict what action would be taken.

He was made aware of Coty's leaving.

"The city manager surprised us with that action and we'll see where it goes from there," MacLean said.

Attempts to reach Coty were unsuccessful Tuesday.

A representative of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees union told the Kennebec Journal Coty cannot respond because the incident is a personnel matter.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com