MILL CREEK — She’s expected to usher in a new era of politics here.
Rebecca Polizzotto, a senior assistant state attorney general in Alaska, was unanimously selected as Mill Creek’s new city manager. The City Council announced the decision after meeting in executive session Tuesday evening.
“It’s an amazing new era for Mill Creek,” Mayor Pam Pruitt said.
Polizzotto, of Douglas, Alaska, has been working as an attorney for the state since 2004. She included in her application letters from former Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and former state Attorney General Michael Geraghty that praised her work on state health care plans.
“Your thoughtful analysis and hard work will benefit state employees and the people of Alaska for years to come,” Parnell wrote.
Polizzotto previously worked her way up to city manager from police officer in Conyers, Georgia, near Atlanta. During her 20-year tenure in Georgia, she served in various positions and made arrangements for equestrian activities for the 1996 Olympic Games.
Polizzotto has a master’s degree in public administration and a law degree from Georgia State University. She also completed a program for government executives at Harvard University.
“Her credentials speak for themselves,” said City Councilman Vincent Cavaleri. “Her track record speaks for itself. She has done it all.”
Polizzotto was chosen for the job of running Mill Creek City Hall over George Korthauer of Petoskey, Michigan, a longtime city manager there; Richard Leahy of Snohomish, who is Woodinville’s city manager; and Scott Somers of Hillsboro, Oregon, the Clatsop County manager.
The council is offering her a $150,000-a-year salary plus $300 a month for car allowance and $10,000 for relocation. Councilman Sean Kelly said he was willing to pay the “steep salary” because of Polizzotto’s experience and her willingness to work with people.
“This is money well spent,” he said.
Polizzotto declined to talk about her plans for Mill Creek until after the contract is signed. She and her husband are interested in moving to the lower 48 states with their 10-year-old daughter to be closer to family.
The City Council could approve the contract with Polizzotto as early as next Tuesday. She could start as soon as June 1, Pruitt said.
Mill Creek spent $23,000 to hire the Florida recruiting firm Colin Baenziger &Associates to find a new city manager. The firm returned 62 candidates from across the country and helped city leaders narrow the list.
The finalists went through a rigorous, two-day selection process that included meetings with city department staffs, the seven council members individually, the council as a whole and the public.
“Anybody who met Rebecca Polizzotto was impressed,” said Councilman Mark Bond.
Councilwoman Donna Michelson said she appreciated how much research Polizzotto did before the interviews.
“She seemed to really want to fit in with the atmosphere of Mill Creek,” Michelson said.
Polizzotto is replacing City Manager Ken Armstrong, who was forced to resign Jan. 2. The council on Nov. 25 unanimously passed a resolution stating its intent to terminate him from his $144,200-a-year job and passed another measure that put him on paid leave.
Council members have not stated a reason for letting Armstrong go. Since Mill Creek was incorporated in 1983, the elected body has forced half of the city managers to resign.
This time, Pruitt vowed to select the “right” candidate for city manager. She said she appreciates that Polizzotto plans to deal with city issues by offering all of the options to the council, making her recommendation and carrying out the decision made by the elected leaders.
“Mill Creek has a wonderful future with her,” Pruitt said.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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