The city is negotiating a contract with Scott McClure to serve as its new city administrator after Rick Robinson retires at the end of October. McClure is currently administrator of the city of Monmouth, a position he has held since 2007.
Mayor Brian Hodson made the announcement at the end of last night’s special meeting, in which the council interviewed seven candidates for the seat being vacated by Tracie Heidt, ultimately appointing Trygve Berge to the position.
Hodson said the city had sent McClure an initial offer letter that included details about salary and other fringes. McClure responded with a couple “additional asks” that will be considered by Hodson, City Attorney Joe Lindsay and Assistant City Administrator Amanda Zeiber.
The offer represents the near-culmination of a months-long process to find the person who will serve as the city’s top executive officer and staff members. Serving essentially as the city’s CEO, the city administrator is responsible for bringing the city council’s vision to life, while also doing or overseeing the background work and making recommendations on most of the decisions that come before them.
The conditional offer is contingent upon a successful background and reference check, which is currently underway. Once the contract is finalized, it will be presented to the council for their review and consideration.
Before taking the position in Monmouth, McClure had served as city manager for Coos Bay, and was in the same position for several years in Brush, Colo. He was an analyst for the city of Gladstone from 1989 to 1996.
He holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s in political science, both from Portland State University.
Monmouth is a city of about 10,000 on the eastern edge of Polk County, which is near and generally considered part of the Salem metro area.
