Council lauds interim manager's work

Kalispell's Interim City Manager Myrt Webb is less than a month away from retirement - again.

When the City Council hired Jane Howington last Monday to be the new city manager, Webb, who came out of semi-retirement to help guide the council through one of the toughest budget challenges Kalispell has faced, came up with a plan to ease himself out of the office without leaving the city in the lurch.

Webb's last full day on the job as interim city manager wrapped up at the end of Monday night's council meeting.

But Howington, who is finishing her duties as assistant city manager in Dayton, Ohio, doesn't formally start her Kalispell job until Aug. 4. She already spends a couple of hours every afternoon talking by phone with Kalispell city department heads, getting background on the city's issues and otherwise getting to know the place from a distance.

Webb, whose family responsibilities are pressing him to be at home, recognized the need to have boots on the ground until Howington arrives so there is a smooth transition in leadership.

So he proposed working on an as-needed basis for the coming month, at $25 an hour. He can retrieve his city calls from home, he said, and still attend meetings, work with staff and be on hand at City Hall whenever possible.

Webb and City Attorney Charles Harball submitted the employment agreement for a City Council vote Monday, noting "the time required will be somewhat minimal and will be a savings from the existing interim city manager contract." He has been paid $4,000 a month since taking on the job nearly nine months ago.

The council agreed to the proposal immediately.

"I thank you for being willing to continue to work on to help with the transition," Mayor Pam Kennedy said. "The department heads appreciate it, and it means a lot to the staff and council to have you available."

Nearly all other council members echoed the sentiment.

Council member Hank Olson pointed out that Webb stepped in on the budget process "right when the world fell apart" and tried to make the best out of city finances. "I appreciate your professional approach," Olson told him.

"You have been there when the need was so great," council member Jim Atkinson agreed.

And council member Tim Kluesner told Webb he had "been a really good city manager. I'd hire you again."

"It's just been a breath of fresh air," council president Duane Larson told him. "I have been here since we had our first city manager, and I can unequivocally say you have been the best."

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com