The Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Alan Lanning, Steamboat Springs' new city manager, will make $120,000 a year in addition to benefits, according to a contract approved Tuesday.

The Steamboat Springs City Council approved the contract in the form of a resolution, which is defined as a record of official action.

Lanning's first day on the job is July 3. His last day as city manager of Brookings, S.D., is June 14.

Lanning will move here shortly after his last day in South Dakota, and he plans to represent Steam--boat at a Colorado Mun--icipal League con--ference in Breckenridge in mid-June.

In addition to his base salary, Lanning's benefits include a $500 monthly vehicle allowance and a cell phone for business use. He will be paid for time off, administrative leave and holidays. The city also will pay for an annual physical exam.

The City Council agreed to pay the moving expenses for Lanning and his family. The city also will loan the Lannings 20 percent of the purchase price of a home in Steamboat.

Lanning managed a staff of nearly 120 employees in Brookings and made $96,000 a year. He reported to the Brookings City Council.

Lanning has several years of experience in Colorado. He was the town manager of Minturn from 1998 to 2004. In his application, Lanning said that during his time in Minturn, he made significant budget and facility improvements. He also formed the Minturn Visioning Committee, which provided the lead on community projects such as a farmers market.

Lanning also worked in Craig as an administrative assistant and planning director for the Moffat County Board of Commissioners. Lanning had management and administrative responsibilities for several departments, including administration, planning, budget and personnel.

"Alan was very easy to work with on this," City Council President Ken Brenner said about negotiating the employment contract. "We didn't have any sticking points."

The council had to find a new city manager after terminating the contract of former city manager Paul Hughes effective Dec. 31, 2005. The council has hiring and firing authority over the city manager as well as the city attorney.

-- To reach Dana Strongin, call 871-4229

or e-mail dstrongin@steamboatpilot.com