With Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson having announced her plans to retire last November, the Chehalis City Council selected Chehalis Public Works Director Lance Bunker to serve as the interim city manager during its regular meeting on Monday, March 11.
“My last day in the office will be April 16th,” Anderson said.
While a search continues for Anderson’s full-time replacement, she added city staff didn’t anticipate the new city manager to be in place until possibly May or June.
“Therefore, it’s necessary to appoint an interim city manager to fill the gap in between my departure and the arrival of the full-time city manager,” Anderson said.
City staff held an internal search through its management team, and Bunker applied for the position.
“The qualifications of Mr. Bunker were discussed in executive session as is appropriate under RCW,” Anderson added.
Once the full-time city manager is in place, Bunker will go back to public works director. The council does have the option to hire an outside consultant to take over the interim position.
Bunker will officially take over as interim city manager on April 17.
Additionally, the Chehalis City Council will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 18, to discuss qualifications of candidates who have applied for the full-time city manager position so far.
“Most of that meeting will be executive session,” Anderson said.
