Galesburg City Manager Gerald Smith announced at Monday’s City Council meeting he’s nearing a deal to have the former Pekin City Manager take an interim role with the city.
Smith has decided to place the search for a Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager on hold until a compensation classification study is completed.
Smith says that will only “expand and broaden” the reach of applicants that would apply.
This comes as Director of Public Works Wayne Carl is set to retire in the next month.
Former Pekin City Manager Mark Rothert initially will contract with the city from Feb. 27 through Mar. 24 to work side by side with Carl, working about three days a week.
After that, depending on the relationship Smith says he’ll probably ask the council to extend the contract until the compensation study and the recruitment process is concluded.
Smith says Rothert has expressed an interest in the Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works position.
Rothert served in Pekin for four years before being released by a 4-2 City Council vote in October 2022.
Smith and Rothert are in conversation about completing a professional service agreement for Rothert to start work as early as next Monday.
