Mill Creek casts wide net for a city manager — again

An executive headhunter assured officials “you’re a very attractive community.”

MILL CREEK — It’s been a turbulent year at City Hall.

Soon, the time will come to fill a void left by city manager Rebecca Polizzotto, who departed in October under less-than-ideal circumstances.

An executive headhunter told the City Council not to be daunted. The city’s recent history should pose no obstacle to finding a great candidate, Drew Gorgey said earlier this month. Nor should the fact that five of seven spots on the council are up for election in November 2019.

“I am not dissuaded, discouraged or frankly even concerned by some of the splashy headlines in the last month,” said Gorgey, a vice president with Peckham & McKenney, based in Roseville, California. “That motivates me.”

Gorgey went on to assure the council, “You’re a very attractive community in one of the most attractive parts of one of the most attractive states in the country.” Other cities have successfully recruited top administrators after similar troubles, he said.

Polizzotto’s tenure of three-plus years ended this fall when the City Council approved a separation agreement. She had been on paid leave for months after complaints about her treatment of staff and misuse of city credit cards. The settlement granted her six months of pay and benefits. She had been earning nearly $174,000 per year.

Polizzotto’s departure was no anomaly for the city of 20,000. Mill Creek had forced out several city managers before her, including Ken Armstrong in 2015 and Tim Burns in 2012.

The City Council on Nov. 27 agreed to pay Peckham & McKenney $25,000 for the search. The council discussed the process at two December meetings. They agreed to a speedy timeline.

They hope to keep recruitment open through Feb. 18 and to have a list of recommended candidates by March 12.

The schedule calls for interviews with finalists on March 22 and 23, with a decision by March 29.

Peckham & McKenney works throughout the western United States. The firm has recruited department directors for Bothell and Bellevue. It’s offering a guarantee that Mill Creek’s new city manager will stay in place a minimum of 1.5 years.

Gorgey said he can deliver.

“It’s a very attractive opportunity,” he told the council. “There are hurdles. I’m not ignoring that, but I’m certain we’re going to get a good pool there.”

Advertisements for the job will list a yearly salary of $160,000 to $195,000.

Bob Stowe, a consultant and former Mill Creek city manager, has been filling in on an interim basis since June. Stowe’s contract with Mill Creek pays a retainer of $5,500 weekly for a 20-hour week. Under the agreement, he is owed $275 per hour “at a minimum rate” beyond that.

Stowe’s contract is set to run through March. On Dec. 4, a motion to keep him around for nine months longer failed on a 5-2 vote. Councilmen Mike Todd and Jared Mead supported that motion.

Stowe’s performance this year has received high praise at City Hall, but it hasn’t been without incident. He was arrested at his Bothell-area home in October after deputies were called for a domestic disturbance. As of Tuesday, the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had not reached a decision about whether to pursue charges.

Any incoming city manager will have to adjust to changes on the City Council.

Councilman Jared Mead plans to step down at the end of the month, after winning election to the state House of Representatives. The city is accepting applications for an appointment to fill Mead’s post. An election for the balance of his term would take place in November.

Four other City Council members are up for election in 2019: Mark Bond, Vince Cavaleri, Mike Todd and John Steckler.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Liam Shakya, 3, waves at a float passing by during the Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett celebrates Fourth of July with traditional parade

Thousands celebrated Independence Day by going to the annual parade, which traveled through the the city’s downtown core.

Ian Saltzman
Everett Public Schools superintendent wins state award

A group of school administrators named Ian Saltzman as a top educational leader.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.