The city of Polson hired a new chief administrator last week.
Mark Shrives signed a contract Sept. 20 to take over as city manager. Shrives is expected to begin Oct. 14, according to city officials.
Shrives emerged as the top candidate among three finalists who underwent separate panel reviews and a vote by the city commission.
Shrives has served as city manager in Creswell, Ore., for the last nine years. He previously served as city administrator and director of operations in Hamilton for six years.
“He’s got lots of experience and he has Montana experience,” said Karen Sargeant, the city’s public information officer and parks director who filled in as interim city manager during the four-month long search.
“I think he will fit nicely with the city of Polson.”
Shrives will become the third full-time city manager in Polson in seven years.
Todd Crossett vacated the position on April 30 after the Polson City Commission voted 4-3 in December to not renew his contract this June. Crossett, who became Polson’s chief administrative officer in June 2009, filed a lawsuit against the city in March in a dispute over lost wages and severance pay. The lawsuit was settled out of court, according to Mayor Pat DeVries. Crossett has since been hired by the city of Crested Butte, Colo., to be city manager.
Shrives graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California in Santa Barbara. He also holds a masters degree in public administration from Walden University in Minnesota. Before his tenures in city administration, he served in the U.S. Army for 20 years.
Shrives will receive a base salary of $80,000 as city manager in Polson.