Via news release late Wednesday, January 15, 2020, the City of North Bend said there will be a new city administrator.
North Bend Interim City Administrator, Mark Rigos, announced on Friday, January 10, 2020, his decision to return to his previous position as the City’s Deputy City Administrator and Public Works Director. The transition will begin Thursday, January 16th.
Rigos had served as Public Works Director for four and a half years before becoming Interim City Administrator in late 2018 when Londi Lindell retired.
Rigos said the new position was more demanding and time intensive than his previous position, but he is glad he accepted the challenge and opportunity that former Mayor Ken Hearing and former City Administrator Lindell offered.
He added that his decision to return to Public Works was based primarily on his desire to spend more time with his young children and to be able to apply his engineering expertise to the many large city projects on the horizon, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades and expansion, multiple roundabouts and other infrastructure projects.
“I take great satisfaction in applying my engineering experience, skills and knowledge and missed those challenges and projects slightly more than I thought I would,” Rigos said. “Most importantly, I will benefit by being able to spend more time with my family in these critical years, which is not something the position of City Administrator often allows. I have given this considerable thought and my conclusion at this point in time is that this is a sound choice for me, my family and the City as a whole.”
Rigos recommended asking Community & Economic Development (CED) Director, Dave Miller, to step into the role as Interim City Administrator. Mayor Rob McFarland approved his proposal and Miller accepted. Miller will retain his position in CED in addition to stepping in as Interim City Administrator.
“Mark has done a fantastic job leading the City this past year as interim City Administrator and I have no doubt that if he chooses and when the time is right for him, he will be successful again in a City Administrator role,” Mayor McFarland said. “He and I looked at this choice from many angles and I am proud that he both evaluated objectively City needs and what is best for him and his family at this point in time.”
Miller joined the City of North Bend team in mid 2017. He brings extensive experience in working for multiple cities in the positions of City Administrator, Community & Economic Development Director and Public Works Director.
“I am here to offer any professional services I can to ensure the success of North Bend,” Miller said. “We certainly have some great challenges for 2020 and I am excited to join with Mayor McFarland, Council and staff in turning these challenges into successful accomplishments.”
Mayor McFarland said that he anticipates naming a permanent City Administrator in the first half of the year.
“Dave’s deep and broad experience will provide me and the City the stability needed to accomplish the large work load and service delivery our residents expect from us,” Mayor McFarland said. “With Mark’s steady hand on the tiller of the fast-growing Public Works department coupled with Dave’s expertise in management, I’m confident that we have the right people on board and are headed in the right direction.”
