The Merrill City Council, acting as a Committee of the Whole, voted Wednesday night to offer the vacant city administrator position to David Johnson of Waubasha, MN.
Johnson, a native of Wausau, has over 30 years of government administration experience. He has worked as the county administrator for Waubasha County, MN, the past four years. Prior to that, he served as city administrator for Valley City, ND for 3 years. He also previously held government administrative positions in Louisville, KY and Indianapolis, IN. He holds masters degrees in political science and public administration from Purdue University.
“What we like is all the experience he has,” said Merrill Mayor Bill Bialecki. “I think he can help us tremendously with economic development and day to day management.”
The city received 14 applications for the position. The City Council narrowed the field to four finalists, who were invited to Merrill March 29 for interviews with a selection committee, the City Council, city department heads and members of the public. The selection committee recommended Johnson to the Committee of the Whole. If Johnson accepts the contract, the City Council would act on hiring him at the April 17 council meeting. Assuming Johnson accepts, Bialecki said he expects him to start in Merrill on May 14.