Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Paving between Union Creek and Crater Lake starts Monday ... Snow in July? Crater Lake could see some this weekend ... More Jackson County residents are buying guns, taking classes after Orlando shooting ... Paving between Union Creek and Crater Lake starts Monday ... Snow in July? Crater Lake could see some this weekend ... More Jackson County residents are buying guns, taking classes after Orlando shooting ... TOP ADMINISTRATOR Patridge offered Medford city manager job Former councilor and Klamath County DA says he's awaiting details to decide Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 11:52 AM Updated Jul 1, 2016 at 5:54 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 11:52 AM Updated Jul 1, 2016 at 5:54 PM » Social News Former Medford City Councilor Rob Patridge has been offered the job of city manager after a one-year search by the council. On Thursday, the council may consider approval of an employment agreement with Patridge, a Medford resident who is Klamath County's district attorney and chairman of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. “I’m honored to be considered,” Patridge said. “I’ve received an offer, but I’m awaiting details on the offer.” Patridge was picked over two other candidates, Jon Amundson, assistant city manager in Richland, Wash., and James Thompson, retired city manager in Casa Grande, Ariz. On Friday, the city publicized an agenda for the upcoming council meeting that included the contract with Patridge. Within an hour, the city had issued a new agenda that removed the Patridge contract. Later on Friday, the city announced the council would hold an executive session Thursday to discuss hiring a public officer, employee or staff member. City Attorney Lori Cooper said that since the contract hadn’t been finalized yet, the city decided to remove it from the agenda. At this point, Cooper said it’s uncertain whether the contract will be placed back on the Thursday agenda. The city hasn’t released a copy of the contract yet, so details about Patridge’s wage and benefit package are unknown. If the council approves the hiring of Patridge, he will fill the seat formerly held by Eric Swanson, who was fired on June 4, 2015, and ordered to leave the council chambers during a public meeting. Swanson was hired in summer 2012 at an annual salary of $145,008. Swanson didn’t get a raise during his almost three years in office, though he did get an increase in his retirement account and his vehicle allowance. Deputy City Manager Bill Hoke’s base salary is $145,911, but he receives an extra 10 percent for assisting City Manager Pro Tem Alison Chan, bringing his current salary up to $160,502, according to information obtained by the Mail Tribune through a public records request. Hoke had been city manager pro tem for a year, a time limit established by the city’s charter, until he was replaced by Chan. Patridge has been Klamath County district attorney for three years. Before that he was president of Covey Consulting in Medford, an attorney with Pacific Retirement Services and general counsel for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden. He served in the Oregon House for six years beginning in 1999 and was a deputy district attorney for Jackson County for three years prior to his election. He was also a Medford city councilor for two years starting in 1996, when he was 27. Patridge said he is still awaiting more details about the job and compensation package. He said he found out about the offer on Friday but hadn’t received anything in writing by Friday afternoon. He said he didn’t have any idea about how long it might take to come to an agreement over the contract. “I’d like to get this resolved for the good of the citizens of Medford,” he said. Patridge said he wasn’t sure how long it might take for him to assume the position of city manager if an agreement can be reached over the contract. He also has to give notice about his current job. “I want to consult with the governor’s office about the timing and ability to select a new DA for Klamath County,” he said. Some community members have questioned hiring Patridge, citing his lack of experience as a city manager and his close relationship with councilors. “I think it does send the wrong message to the community when the council is hiring someone closely affiliated with them,” said former Mayor Lindsay Berryman. “I honestly do think the council should be looking at a candidate with some good solid city manager training.” Berryman, who has heard comments similar to hers from others in the community, said the city of Medford is a tough assignment, and the new city manager will have to tackle economic and social challenges. “I’m not sure that Rob Patridge’s background speaks to that,” she said. However, Berryman said that despite her reservations, she thought Patridge was smart and has handled some challenging issues during his career. Rep. Sal Esquivel, who was on the City Council at the same time as Patridge, said, “I think he’s going to make a heck of a city manager.” He said he thinks Patridge will bring a different perspective that will lead to greater cooperation between the city and county and state. He noted Patridge grew up in Medford and understands how the city works. “I think he’s quite capable of managing a city,” Esquivel said. “I think he’ll do just fine.” Councilor Clay Bearnson said he’d withhold comment about Patridge until the contract is discussed in a public meeting. “At this current time, I don’t have much comment, but I look forward to a healthy conversation about it,” Bearnson said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 1, 2016 at 11:52 AM Updated Jul 1, 2016 at 5:54 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501