Yakima City Manager Selection Getting Closer

The search for a new Yakima city manager will begin on April 26th. The finalists will be interviewed by a panel of community members selected by the city council, a panel consisting of the city’s department directors, and by the entire city council. On Friday, April 27th, individual council members will meet with each of the finalists for half-hour personal interviews.

Following 2-day the interview process, the city council will decide whether or not it will offer the city manager job to one of the finalists. However, no specific time frame has been established for that decision to be made.

Here are the finalists:

Marianna Marysheva-Martinez <- currently the interim town manager in Mammoth Lakes, California. Previous local government positions include serving as an assistant city administrator in Oakland, California and as an assistant city manager in Lynwood, California.

Paul Schmidt - most recently served as city administrator in Oak Harbor, Washington. Previous local government positions include serving as city administrator for Cheney, Washington and as city supervisor in Clarkston, Washington.

Thomas Steele most recently served as city manager in West Jordan, Utah. Previous local government positions include serving as an assistant city manager in West Jordan, as city manager in Clayton, California, as city manager in Woodland Park, Colorado, and as an assistant city manager in Walla Walla, Washington.

Steve Worthington most recently served as city manager in Fife, Washington. Previous local government positions include serving as community development director in both Fife and in Cheney, Washington.

The council hopes to name a new city manager and have that person on the job by late spring or early summer.