Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams’ sudden resignation as East Ridge city manager Saturday came as a surprise to council members, though they noted his proposed property tax increase for the 2009 budget had been controversial.

“Nobody had a clue he was going to resign,” Councilman Tom Card said, later adding, “I think he really has done an exceptional job. He hit the ground running.”

Mr. Adams offered his resignation at Saturday morning’s budget work session, where East Ridge Council members met to review a draft of the proposed $11.5 million budget. City managers are hired by the council to oversee day-to-day operations and implement city policy.

Mr. Card said Mr. Adams entered the meeting, handed out information booklets, then announced his resignation, saying he had enjoyed working with the council. Mr. Card said everyone was shocked and that council member Larry Sewell, a friend of Mr. Adams, was in tears.

Mr. Adams proposed a 47-cent property tax increase that some on the East Ridge Council, including Vice Mayor Jerry Petty, opposed. Mr. Petty had urged his colleagues to replace Mr. Adams.

“It might have something to do with it,” Mr. Petty said of Mr. Adams’ resignation, though he said he had a cordial relationship with the city manager.

Mr. Petty said he felt the tax increase was too high, but he added that he called for Mr. Adams’ ouster mostly because he felt the city manager made public comments about the hike prematurely, before the proposed budget was approved or even examined.

“Some type of increase might be necessary, but you can’t make it all up in one year,” Mr. Petty said.

Mr. Card said that as of mid-Saturday he had not been able to reach Mr. Adams.

“I don’t know if he took it personally. I don’t know,” he said, adding that Mr. Petty was well within his rights to make the comments.

Mr. Card said the property tax hike likely was the first time Mr. Adams had dealt with such controversy in the capacity of city manager. He said a very small minority — “15 out of 20,000” — oppose the increase.

The property tax hike, the first since 1995, would increase the rate from $1.07 to $1.54 per $100 of assessed value, a 44 percent increase. Mr. Adams said the tax increase would pay for a wide range of improvements, including new municipal vehicles, City Hall refurbishment and employee raises.

“No one likes a tax increase,” he said Saturday. “But East Ridge hasn’t had a tax increase since 1995. It’s time for East Ridge to invest in itself.”

Mayor Mike Steele has noted that East Ridge’s tax rate is currently the lowest of 47 similar-sized cities in the state.

Mr. Card said the council will probably push for a property tax increase, but one in the 30-cent range.

“We are going to have to raise them,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a bad year.”

The council almost approved a 22-cent property tax hike last year but scrapped the plan when the Hamilton County Commission approved a 26-cent per $100 valuation property tax increase countywide. This year the county did not increase property taxes.

The council reviewed the first draft of the proposed budget Saturday, without going over the finer points or discussing the tax increase, according to Mr. Card and Mr. Petty. Both councilmen expressed confidence in Eddie Phillips, the city’s safety commissioner, who will assume the interim city manager position, one he filled when former city manager David Mays retired with health concerns.

Mr. Adams said giving up the city manager post will allow him to spend more time with his “grandbabies.”

“I haven’t had much time for that working two jobs,” he said.

“I didn’t go into this on a long-term basis,” said Mr. Adams, who held the job for about five months. “I think I did a good job and showed them what they needed to do. Now it’s up to the council.”

Sunday editor Chris Vass contributed to this story.