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Hallsville's controversial city administrator is out of a job after city leaders voted Monday night to eliminate the position.

Joe Smith was told Tuesday this morning that it was his last day. Smith then resigned.

The move came in a closed door meeting Monday night. With three yes votes and one city alderman abstaining the position was eliminated to save the city money. Aldermen Mickey Nichols, Hugh Carney and Darren Maher voted in favor of getting rid of the position, Alderman Carl Daly abstained.

Mayor Cheri Reisch said the move will save Smith's salary and benefits totaling around $60,000. She said the money is needed for the city's general fund to balance the budget. That fund pays the salaries of the city's seven other full-time employees and several part time ones.

Smith has been under fire since firing Reisch last December. Reisch had served 30-years as Hallsville City Clerk. She ran for mayor and won last April.

Reisch did not get to vote during the closed meeting, the mayor's vote only breaks ties. She says the move to remove Smith was not about her, but was in the best interest of the city. The city budget, minus the administrator position will now be up for vote during the next aldermans' meeting August 27th.