Concern over the amount of money spent refurbishing Bowral swimming pool is believed to be one of the contributing factors behind the surprise departure of Wingecarribee Shire Council's technical services manager Charles Dunlop.

Mr Dunlop yesterday spoke of his "disappointment" over his axing as technical services manager after nine years in office.

The straight-talking Mr Dunlop was summoned to a meeting with general manager David McGowan on Friday where he was handed a letter informing him that his contract would not be renewed next June.

Having applied for reappointment, 61-year-old Dunlop admitted he was "disappointed and upset" to learn Mr McGowan had taken the decision to advertise the position at the expiry of his contract.

"When you get caught between a rock and a hard place, someone gets squashed," Mr Dunlop said yesterday in an obvious reference to the tight financial constraints of his position.

Mr Dunlop said he was currently considering "all options" but was actively seeking a new position as he was not yet ready to call it time on his long career in local government.

Having joined council in June 1994, Mr Dunlop has overseen an array of impressive projects, most recently the refurbishment of the Old Bowral Town Hall portico, earning a reputation for his commitment to getting the job done tastefully.

However, there is known to be criticism from certain councillors over the $200,000 exhausted on Bowral swimming pool with Cr Peter Reynolds highlighting the huge deficit at the last council meeting, which had not been included in the original budget.

Rather than spreading the money over each of the four council-run pools, Mr Dunlop has been criticised for putting all his eggs in one basket.

A philosophical Mr Dunlop took the news with grace, saying it was "par for the course" in local government.

"Of course, I'm a bit disappointed having put a heck of a lot of work in over the years and I've got absolutely no idea why my contract isn't being renewed because you don't get a reason," he said.