City manager search down to four candidates

The city of Whitefish has narrowed its search for a new city manager to four finalists.

The four candidates for the city’s top administrative job are Ken Decker, a county administrator from Caroline County, Maryland; Dara MacDonald, former city administrator for the city of Salida, Colorado; Edwin Meece, former city manager for the city of Livingston; and Chuck Winn, assistant city manager for the city of Bozeman.

Current City Manager Chuck Stearns in March announced his intention to retire at the end of this year.

The candidates will go through several interviews on Sept. 16 with the City Council, a community interview committee and a city staff interview committee at Whitefish City Hall. After the interviews Council is expected to meet in executive session on either Sept. 16 or Sept. 19 to determine which candidate they will extend an offer of employment.

A public meet and greet for the candidates is set for Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at Casey’s in downtown Whitefish.

Ken Decker has worked for Caroline County, Maryland, for five years as the county administrator. Decker is a Libby native, graduating from Libby High School. He holds a degree in economics and journalism and a master of public administration, and is credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. Before his tenure with Caroline County, Decker worked for the town of Hampstead, Maryland, for 12 years as the town manager.

Dara MacDonald last worked for the city of Salida, Colorado, as the city administrator. MacDonald holds a bachelor’s degree in western philosophy and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning. MacDonald also worked as the community development director with the city of Salida for seven years and has also worked for the town of Frisco, Colorado, and the city of Bozeman.

Edwin Meece last worked as the city manager for the city of Livingston. Meece holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a master of public administration. Before his tenure with Livingston, Meece worked for Louisville-Jefferson County Metro in Kentucky as the assistant director public works and general services administration, and has held multiple city administrator and management positions.

Chuck Winn has worked for the city of Bozeman, for 32 years with the last eight years as the assistant city manager. Winn spent most of his career in the Bozeman Fire Department as the fire chief, assistant director of public safety, deputy chief/fire marshal and as a firefighter. Winn attended Montana State University in Bozeman with an emphasis in sociology and criminal justice.

There were a total of 29 applicants for the position, which has operational authority over a city of roughly 7,000. The manager will administer an annual budget of about $48 million and a staff of about 100. The city of Whitefish advertised the city manager job with a salary range of $100,000 to $130,000, depending on qualifications.