After a five-month national search and 64 candidates to consider for Aspen’s next city manager, it was announced Wednesday that an employment contract has been negotiated with incumbent Sara Ott.
Aspen City Council will decide on the contract via a resolution during a special meeting on Tuesday. Ott, 41, has been interim city manager since February at a salary of $195,255.
“I’m excited for the future of Aspen and I’m excited to be part of it for the long haul,” she said, adding she won’t make any immediate changes. “I’ve got a lot of listening to do in the community and it’s really valuable to me to listen hard with goodwill and intent.”
Previously an assistant city manager, Ott stepped into the city’s top administrative job after Steve Barwick, who was in the position for 19 years, was asked to resign in January.
If approved by council, Ott’s contract will be effective Sept. 1, which will coincide with the termination date of her being interim city manager.
Ott’s new salary will be $203,000, which was negotiated by herself, her attorney and city staff at the direction of council after a series of public interviews and closed-door sessions in the past few weeks.
Council has met at least six times in executive session to discuss whom to hire.
City Attorney Jim True said last week that no decision had been made and when it is time for that, it will be a public discussion.
The city this past spring hired national recruitment firm Peckham & McKenney for $25,000.
The original pool of applicants was over 60 and was culled to three finalists.
Ott beat out Robb Etnyre, the general manager and CEO of Tahoe Donner in Truckee, and Katherine Lewis, senior city attorney for Salt Lake City Corp.