UPDATE: New Richmond hires new administrator

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Mike Darrow and his wife, June, talk with community members during an open house event at Lola's Restaurant in New Richmond on Friday night.

Talk about it

After two days of interviewing, and a lengthy discussion about who to hire, the New Richmond City Council voted to offer Mike Darrow, current city administrator in Gilbert, Minn., a contract to become the community's next city administrator and utilities manager. He accepted the job after talking it over with his family.

Mayor Fred Horne said the contract details are being worked out by consultant Richard Fursman, who helped guide the city's search process.

Five finalists for the combined position of city administrator and utilities manager took part in interviews, tours and a community open house on Friday and Saturday. When the information gathering was all done, the city council went into closed session for several hours Saturday afternoon to discuss their final selection.

Darrow currently servs a community of about 1,800 people on the Iron Range of northern Minnesota.

He has been city administrator and utility manager for Gilbert, Minn., since January 2009. He has worked for the past 15 years as a consultant and administrator in the public and private sectors.

He holds a Master’s degree in community development and urban planning from Minnesota State University in Mankato and an undergraduate degree in urban studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

in an interview last week, Darrow said he has worked for communities throughout the Upper Midwest on economic development and community development processes.

“While the city administration job would be exciting, my family and I are looking for a community in which to grow and become an active part” said Darrow. “After touring the city last week with my wife and 3-year-old daughter and taking in a girls basketball game at the grade school, I would be excited to not only work in New Richmond, but become part of the community.”

Other candidates considered for the city position included:

—Adam Hammatt, former village administrator for Suamico, a community of more than 11,000 just north of Green Bay.

—Peter Kling, interim director of the St. Croix County Planning and Zoning Department and longtime agent with the University of Wisconsin Extension office in Baldwin.

—Dan Koski, current New Richmond city engineer, street superintendent and stormwater utility manager.

— Brian Wagner, city manager for Maquoketa, Iowa, a community of about 6,100 in eastern Iowa.

For a complete story, see next week's New Richmond News.

Tags: new richmond, local government, news, wisconsin