Oak Park City Manager Erik Tungate declined an offer from Grand Traverse County commissioners to become the next county administrator Friday.

Tungate released a statement through his office saying that “information about the board’s intent to offer employment was publicized before Mr. Tungate was formally extended the offer. After careful consideration and appreciation, Mr. Tungate has decided to decline the board’s generous offer. This is Mr. Tungate’s formal announcement of the decision.”

Tungate also released a short personal video explaining his decision, saying: "While the offer to lead Grand Traverse County is a good one, I had to weigh all factors in my decision-making. When I did that, I was reminded that it is not just about me, it is about where I can be most effective in improving the lives of others."

The announcement followed a commission vote Wednesday to reaffirm commissioners’ support for hiring Tungate after Commission Ron Clous raised public doubts about the candidate. Clous said Tungate misrepresented Oak Park’s pension fund balance in his interview and questioned why commissioners hadn’t been informed that Tungate faced assault charges in 2011. Tungate was acquitted of the charges by a jury in 2012 and disclosed the case to executive search firm GovHR USA, which assisted commissioners in the recruiting and interviewing of candidates. Because Tungate was cleared of the charges, GovHR USA did not inform commissioners of the case. Tungate was also cleared in a professional background check.

Tungate provided additional information clarifying how he estimated Oak Park’s pension fund balance, and County Financial Director Jody Lundquist affirmed that numbers Clous found conflicting Tungate’s claims could have been outdated. Several commissioners expressed concerns Tungate’s reputation was being unfairly tarnished by media coverage of Clous’ claims, and that Tungate might choose to walk away from the job. The board vote 4-2 to reaffirm their support of Tungate’s hiring, with Clous and Tom Mair opposed and Chair Carol Crawford absent.

Crawford, who was authorized to negotiate a contract with Tungate on behalf of the board, tells The Ticker she “had a feeling (Tungate) might” reject the offer. “Our communications dropped off this week,” she says. “He never negotiated the contract beyond our first offer.” She says the last time she spoke to Tungate was before Wednesday’s meeting and that he “didn’t give any indication” at that time whether the questions raised by Clous or media coverage of those questions would impact his decision-making.

Crawford says commissioners will decide Wednesday how next to proceed with the administrator search, including whether to offer the job to Vicki Uppal, the county administrator of Washington County in Missisippi and commissioners’ runner-up pick during the interview stage. “We’ll decide whether to go with Vicki or do something else,” Crawford says. “It’ll be up to the pleasure of the board."