The Washington City Council is nearing the end of its search for a new city administrator, having recently interviewed two finalists for the position. The council is expected to vote on the appointment at its December 15 meeting. The city has been without a permanent administrator since Jim Snider resigned in August 2024, with duties temporarily handled by former Mayor Gary Manier, city department heads, and interim administrator Dennis Carr.
Key Takeaways
- The Washington City Council has narrowed its search for a new city administrator to two finalists.
- A final decision and appointment are anticipated at the December 15 council meeting.
- The city has been operating without a full-time administrator since August 2024.
The Selection Process
The search for a new city administrator has been a multi-stage process. Following a closed session where the two finalists were interviewed, the council is now poised to make a decision. Mayor Lilija Stevens may recommend one of the finalists for the leadership role, which will then require council approval. The search has been managed by Jim Arndt of Arndt Municipal Support, with assistance from a "Team Washington" comprised of Mayor Stevens, Human Resources Manager Maureen Chambers, and Communications Specialist Amanda Roberts. Arndt was hired in July and is being compensated $19,500 for his services.
Recent Council Activities and Community Events
In addition to the administrator search, the Washington City Council has been active in other areas. During a recent regular meeting, Nicholas Cohen was appointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission, and Jean Montgomery was appointed to the Cemetery Board of Managers, filling recent vacancies.
Instead of the usual committee of the whole meeting, the council is inviting residents to the inaugural "Christmas at the Plaza" event on December 8th. This tree-lighting ceremony at Washington Plaza will feature a 26-foot Christmas tree, performances by the District 50 band and choir, a reading of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and a screening of the movie "Elf." The city, in partnership with the Washington Park District and Washington Chamber of Commerce, is sponsoring the event. Five Christmas trees in front of City Hall are also being decorated by local students.
Other City Updates
Several other city matters were discussed or acted upon:
- The Historic Preservation Commission approved exterior renovation plans for the former Foster’s Jewelry and Brunk’s Sports Center buildings on North Main Street, with new businesses planned for both locations.
- A farm lease agreement for the Memorial Gardens property was extended until 2027. The city discovered the lease had expired in 2002, and has been receiving $630 annually in revenue from the property since 2004.
- Crisis24 has acquired CodeRED, the city’s emergency alert vendor. To ease the transition, Crisis24 will provide two months of service at no cost to the city in the upcoming fiscal year.
- The "Safe Routes to School" projects on North Street and Grant Street have been completed.
- The "Let’s Talk Washington" session at Brickhouse BBQ, Burgers and Brews saw the largest attendance of any monthly session hosted by Mayor Stevens. Details for the December session are pending.
