SPIRIT LAKE - Spirit Lake Police Chief Gene Marquez abruptly resigned on Wednesday morning - just hours after Mayor Todd Clary was re-elected.

Marquez, who has served as chief for 11 months after retiring from the Idaho State Police, cited differing visions for the department than city leadership as the main reason for his decision.

"The city's vision for the police department and mine don't match," Marquez said, declining to discuss specifics.

The resignation is effective retroactively to Oct. 31. Marquez submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday.

"I was going to resign on Oct. 31 - I had the letter written on Oct. 30 - but I held off because I didn't want it to be a political statement of any type (during Tuesday's election)," Marquez said.

Clary, who was a classmate of Marquez in high school, said he was "somewhat surprised" about the resignation. He said there were "minor bumps" the two had, but Clary said he thought those were getting ironed out.

"There were departmental operation questions that I asked and he said I was trying to micromanage," said Clary, who declined to say what those questions were. "My job is to know (about the happenings in the department). We agreed to disagree."

Clary said he thought the two were clearing the hurdle.

"I'm not big into throwing in the towel; that's not my style," Clary said. "He was my friend when I hired him, and we're still friends today. I thanked him for the tremendous work he put in and I'm sorry it couldn't turn into the job he hoped it would be."

Soon after Marquez was hired, Clary said Marquez was "way more than qualified" for the job based on his previous 29 years of police work.

Marquez declined to comment about his recent relationship with Clary.

"The people selected the mayor, and he has different visions than I do," Marquez said. "It comes with a heavy heart that I leave this job. I'm going to miss it."

Marquez, 54, said another reason for his resignation is that he was making more money with his retirement than he was as the Spirit Lake chief.

"It doesn't make sense to lose $1,000 a month when I can retire," he said.

Marquez believes he and his staff helped bring the police department to another level. The staff also includes four officers, an administrative assistant and three reserves.

Marquez said the department made several technology advances in the past 11 months, there was a remodel of the police station, and networking with neighboring agencies increased.

"We brought the level of professionalism up," he said. "I hope the person who takes over will continue forward."

Marquez, who lost his bid to become Shoshone County sheriff last year, said he's leaving his future options open.

"I have too much energy in me (to retire)," he said. "I'd like to be a part of a larger department - one without small-town politics."

The city will begin searching for a new chief immediately, Clary said.