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Steamboat Springs — Working in city management comes with risks -- including being fired at a moment's notice, Steamboat Springs' city manager said Thursday.

That's precisely what happened to Paul Hughes on Tuesday, when the City Council voted 5-2 to terminate his contract, effective Dec. 31.

Hughes addressed his firing for the first time Thursday during the city's weekly news briefing.

Hughes said he did not expect to be fired but that it is something that happens to city managers.

"I'm not the first city manager to run afoul of local politics, and I certainly won't be the last," he said.

Hughes, Steam--boat's city manager for 7 1/2 years, announced his retirement last month. At the time, he said he would stay with the city until the council hired his replacement.

Hughes said he had planned to stay with the city until five days before the new manager started, a timeframe that is listed in the retirement agreement he signed with the city in November. The agreement also states that if a new manager is not hired by November 2006, Hughes' employment would end.

City officials have said it takes a few months to carry out recruiting and hiring. Hughes, who will be on vacation next week, plans to stay with the city until Dec. 31.

Because of his firing, Hughes will receive a lump-sum cash payment of $58,766.03, according to his employment contract. Hughes' base salary is $121,076.80.

Hughes's retirement announ--cement was made the day after Election Day. At the time, Hughes said the new makeup of the council did not influence his decision. He stood by that statement Thursday.

Hughes' firing has been criticized by two City Council members. Council member Loui Antonucci said an executive session should have been held specifically to discuss the possibility of firing Hughes.

If council members had agreed to terminate Hughes' contract, they could have at least given him the opportunity to retire immediately, Antonucci said.

Hughes agreed the situation could have been handled better.

"It certainly could have been done differently," he said. "But it's their prerogative to do whatever they want to do."

Being an at-will employee of the City Council is one of the less pleasant aspects of his line of work, Hughes said.

"That's the grim side of being a professional city manager. It's not fun, but it kind of comes with the territory."

--o reach Dana Strongin, call 871-4229 or e-mail dstrongin@steamboatpilot.com