SEQUIM — The Sequim City Council has hired a new city manager.
Charlie Bush of Issaquah will begin his employment with the city Aug. 17. He will receive an annual salary of $120,000.
Bush, 40, agreed to accept the job late Monday night after the City Council unanimously tabbed him for the position that Steve Burkett, who has served as city manager since October 2009, will vacate when he retires June 30.
Craig Ritchie, Sequim city attorney, has been appointed by the council to act as interim city manager from July 1 through Aug. 16.
“The City Council is looking forward to working with Charlie,” said Mayor Candace Pratt.
“He is a good fit for our community with 17 years of public service experience including small and large cities.
“Charlie is young and energetic and excited about living and working in Sequim.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the city of Sequim,” Bush said.
“Sequim is a community always looking to improve and I got into public service to help communities better serve people,” Bush said.
“It’s a perfect fit. I am energized by the challenges and the opportunities in Sequim today, and to those that are ahead.
“Great things are happening in Sequim and there is potential for much more.”
The six final candidates were in town last week to meet the public and undergo interviews conducted by the city council in executive session.
In addition to Bush, other finalists were John DuRocher of Des Plaines, Ill.; Belinda Graham of Brinnon; Kandis Hanson of Mound, Minn.; Yvonne Kimball of Dewey-Humboldt, Ariz.; and William Kohbarger of North Las Vegas, Nev.
Bush has a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University and a master’s degree from Syracuse University.
He has 17 years experience working for local government, and is now the development services director for the city of Issaquah.
He had previously served in Glendale and Phoenix, Ariz.; Bellevue; and Prosser.
“My experience includes six years as a manager or assistant, six years of overseeing operations, six years of human resources oversight, six years of information technology oversight, five years as planning director, four years of public safety oversight, four years of finance oversight, three years of direct economic development experience and seven years serving as an analyst,” Bush said.
He currently serves as president of the Municipal Research Services Center, and is a member of the NextERA Task Force for the Alliance of Innovation.
He is the former president of the Washington City/County Management Association and previously was a board member of the Association of Washington Cities.
He also is involved with Rotary International, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Meals on Wheels and Kiwanis.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.