Stan Westby, the now-former manager of the City of Whitehorse, says he is seeking legal advice and will not be commenting on city council's decision late Thursday afternoon to fire him.

Westby was reached at his Whitehorse home this morning following a short statement released from the city.

It announced the termination, which took effect immediately following council's special meeting Thursday.

"The city manager has been terminated for cause effectively immediately,” Mayor Dan Curtis said in the statement.

"City council has appointed Brian Crist, director of infrastructure and operations, as acting city manager.

"Recruitment of a new city manager will commence in a timely and efficient manner.”

While Westby was fired with cause, so is therefore not eligible for a severance package, Curtis said, he could not discuss the reasons for the termination as they are a personnel matter.

Westby, a chartered accountant by trade, has been off the job since April 5, 2013.

Hired in July 2012, he began his work with the city the following month.

Westby was hired after the retirement of former city manager Dennis Shewfelt in June 2012.

Prior to moving to Whitehorse for the position, Westby worked as the chief administrative officer in Powell River, B.C.

Last May city officials said Westby was on medical leave.

During an interview this morning, Curtis clarified that Westby had been suspended from his job prior to the medical leave.

Curtis confirmed that Westby has received a salary since his departure in April, though under the provisions of the city manager bylaw, Curtis could not say what that salary was.

In 2012, when Shewfelt retired, the city manager's salary range was set between $133,970 and $150,914 per year.

Crist has been in the role of acting city manager since Westby has been off the job.

He is currently away from the office and could not be reached for comment this morning about whether he may apply for the position permanently.

Curtis said council and staff will be meeting early next week to discuss details of the recruitment process.

They will debate such questions as whether to use a recruitment agency to seek out candidates or to have city staff oversee the entire process directly.

While Westby was only on the job for a few months, Curtis said he is optimistic the city will be able to find the right candidate for the job.

Whitehorse, he said, is a beautiful community which people want to live in.

Curtis is anxious to find the best person for the job.

However, he also said he wants to make sure the city takes the necessary time to do that – which could be anywhere between three and six months.

He went on to praise city staff who have stepped up on the job since last April, stating they have done an excellent job and the public has not likely noticed any major differences in services.