The Morgan Hill City Council, following an Aug. 16 closed session meeting, narrowed down the field of applicants for the city manager position to four of City Hall’s top staff people.
After reviewing input from the community and other city staff on what the elected officials should be looking for in a new city manager—to replace Steve Rymer—the council evaluated all applications they have received for the position, according to Morgan Hill Communications Manager Maureen Tobin.
The council selected the following city employees as finalists for the city manager’s job: Community Services Director Chris Ghione, Economic Development Director Edith Ramirez, Police Chief David Swing and Assistant City Manager for Admin Services Christina Turner.
The council will interview each candidate at a closed meeting scheduled for Sept. 6.
Earlier this month, Rymer accepted a job as city administrator for the City of Rochester, Minn. He worked for the City of Morgan Hill since 2006, starting in recreation and community services. In 2013, the council appointed him as city manager.
Rymer’s annual salary for 2016 was about $248,000, after several annual raises approved by the council in line with positive performance evaluations.
The city manager is the highest paid staff position in Morgan Hill, to which all City Hall department heads report, including the police and fire chiefs.
According to a list of employees’ salaries for 2016 on the city’s website, Swing’s regular annual wages are about $196,000; Ghione’s are about $182,000; and Ramirez’ are about $154,524. The city hired Turner in 2016 for an annual salary of about $189,000.
The salary figures do not include benefits and allowances, though these amounts are also listed on the city’s website.
Rymer’s last day as Morgan Hill City Manager will be Sept. 30. The council hopes to have a new city manager appointed by the end of September.
