After a year-long search, the city of Polson has tapped Todd Crossett as its new city manager.
The city announced its choice to hire Crossett on May 11, after candidate Lawrence Anderson of Missoula withdrew his application. A month earlier, Kenneth Decker of Upperco, Md., pulled out as well.
Polson Mayor Lou Marchello said he is looking forward to working with Crossett, who drove to Polson from his home in Cocolalla, Idaho, to deliver his application personally.
“He is a very bright man,” Marchello said. “He has tremendous experience working with people.”
The city’s first-ever manager, Jay Henry, resigned last summer. Since then, Marchello said the search committee tried to negotiate with several people for the position, but most of the candidates backed out.
“Everyone wanted more money,” he said.
Salary for the Polson city manager position ranges between $65,000 and $85,000 a year, and the new city manager is on the higher end of that range, Marchello said.
Crossett, a businessman and former Bonner County, Idaho, commissioner, obtained a master’s degree in international management and development. He will be moving to Polson with his family in two weeks.
Until Crossett was hired, City Attorney James Raymond served as acting city manager.