The city council mandated that I be cut hours and to only maintain 10 hours per week, and THEN to fire me due to ‘poor performance’ is contradictory.”

Former Stanley Fire Chief Korey Hagenson

The Stanley City Council met in closed session during committee of the whole Monday, Feb. 16, in order to confer with legal counsel rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to potential litigation regarding claims made by former fire chief Korey Hagenson.
The closed session held under 19.85(1)(g) of the state statutes did not specify any claims in meeting materials, with Hagenson fired by the city in August 2024 after five years due to what was specified at the time as “unacceptable job performance.” Hagenson stated at the time of firing that he had been cut hours by the city, calling the subsequent decision to then fire him for ‘poor performance “contradictory.”
“The city council mandated that I be cut hours and to only maintain 10 hours per week, and THEN to fire me due to ‘poor performance’ is contradictory,” he said at the time. They expected me to do more but work less…their decision is not one I take lightly, nor do I approve of.”
Current Stanley Fire Chief Ron Patten was appointed to replace Hagenson in an interim capacity, later hired by the city through 2027.
Present for the Monday closed session on Hagenson’s unspecified claims was attorney Jerrilyn Jacobs along with the Stanley mayor and council, all others asked to leave prior to the discussion.
The council exited closed session approximately 20 minutes later with no action or recommendations to forward, then adjourning committee of the whole to start the regular council meeting.