Middletown To Start Search For New Manager As Terminated Official Speaks Out

Officials are launching a search for a new municipal leader after the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday evening to dismiss Township Manager Eden Ratliff.

The supervisors issued written notice Monday evening to Ratliff, who earned $215,000 annually.

Under the terms of his contract, Ratliff will remain on paid administrative leave until his termination becomes effective June 13.

Solicitor James Esposito confirmed Ratliff will not perform work for the municipality through his final day on June 13.

Officials declined to speak further on the financial implications of the firing, and they stated the search for a successor would be a top priority.

This news organization has filed a Right-To-Know request for documents related to the dismissal and Ratliff’s contract.

“The board is definitely going to approach this with urgency,” said Supervisor Chairperson Bernadette Hannah. “But also we want to make sure that we hire the right person for this community and for the Middletown Township staff.”

Responding to resident questions regarding a timeline for the hire, Hannah declined to set a specific deadline.

“Township managers, there aren’t as many available township managers out there in the world as one might like,” Hannah said. “We have to make sure we find the right person. We’ve got to get it right.”

The supervisors have not provided a reason for the dismissal in public, citing personnel policy.

Previous reporting by this news organization said Ratliff is not accused of criminal wrongdoing. The decision reportedly stems from internal management issues.

Ratliff, in his first public comments since the move, told LevittownNow.com he had gratitude for his time in the township.

“It has been an honor to serve Middletown Township as its Township Manager and I wish the Board of Supervisors, staff, and community, nothing but the best moving forward,” Ratliff said. “I am thankful for the progress we made in addressing critical financial challenges and laying a foundation for continued progress on the policy priorities of the Board of Supervisors.”

Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla is currently on parental leave through the end of the month.

Former Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, who retired last spring, returned Tuesday to serve as interim manager.

Teoli Kuhls, a 13-year veteran of the township, will work full-time without benefits at her previous rate of pay, Esposito said.

Hannah said the decision to place Ratliff on leave was made “just minutes” before an email was sent to township staff last Tuesday.

In the week between the leave and the appointment of the interim manager, Esposito said the municipality was managed by the supervisors and department heads. The solicitor added he had spent a lot of time in the municipal building over the past week.

During the Monday meeting, Supervisor Mike Ksiazek, who was chairperson last year, clarified that while Ratliff managed recent budget developments and a tax increase aimed at infrastructure, those policy decisions were the responsibility of the supervisors.

Officials assured the public that the leadership change would not impact municipal operations for the township’s 46,000 residents.

“We have full confidence in our township staff and department heads, and we expect township services to continue without disruption,” Hannah said.

Ratliff was hired in late 2025 after a months-long “comprehensive” search process that involved the elected supervisors, department heads, and an outside consulting firm, officials said.

Ratliff, a Chester County native, came to Bucks County after working as deputy city manager in Charlottesville, Virginia. His Pennsylvania municipal management roles included management roles in Kennett Township, Greencastle Borough, and Ford City. He holds degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is currently a student at Johns Hopkins University.

Earlier this year, Ratliff received bipartisan support from the supervisors, who praised his performance as township manager.