The Salem City Council has approved a contract for a new city manager and learned of the appointment of a new police chief at Monday night’s meeting.
The name of the new city manager is being withheld until she has a chance to meet with the city council where she is currently city manager on Tuesday night to tell them she is leaving. Her name and background are expected to be released on Wednesday.
Mayor Nic Farley said she was one of 52 applicants and was the unanimous choice of the city council out of the three finalists.
“I think her work experience, if you look at the awards she’s garnered, the amount of grant dollars that she’s been able to acquire and the economic development projects that she’s led, both close in the region and where she currently lives, made her head and shoulders the best candidate that we had to choose from.”
Farley says she currently is working in a city slightly larger than Salem. She will be paid $125,000 a year. Farley called that a competitive salary to attract a new city manager who can help the city grow.
Current City Manager Annette Sola who will retire at the end of June is excited about the choice and is looking forward to working with her for a month during transition in June.
The new police chief is Charleston, IL Police Lieutenant Todd Boles. The announcement was made by Sola who felt he was a good choice to lead the city police force into the future. He was one of 46 applicants and three finalists for that position. Boles was selected by Sola with assistance from Deputy Chief Tyler Rose.
