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Interim city manager starts Monday

Scott Franz
Interim city manager candidate Gary Suiter speaks during his interview with the Steamboat Springs City Council.
Scott Franz

— Gary Suiter will have a busy first week as interim city manager in Steamboat Springs.

Suiter starts full time on Monday, a day before city staff will pitch a 2016 budget worth $56 million at an all-day hearing in Citizens Hall.

And on Wednesday, the city will host six police chief candidates at a community reception.



The Steamboat Springs City Council hired Suiter for the interim job last month after a lengthy interview.

Suiter, a management consultant who has spent many years managing cities in Colorado, told the council he feels confident and comfortable stepping into the interim role here for at least the next several months.



Suiter had several anecdotes about building relationships with councils in mountain towns and overseeing such things as downtown revitalization and infrastructure improvements.

He was also unfazed that he will be working for a council with four brand new members in November.

Suiter has held interim manager positions in La Plata County, Teton County, Snowmass Village, Berthoud, Salida and Rifle. He also was the town manager for Snowmass Village from 1990 to 2002.

In Steamboat, Suiter will receive a salary and benefits package worth about $17,000 a month.

He will also receive a housing allowance of $1,000 per month.

Suiter will live in Steamboat while he works here, and he will likely commute back home to Carbondale on the weekends.

Suiter will serve as city manager until the new city council hires a permanent manager.

The current council is laying the groundwork for a possible recruiting effort.

Last month, the council voted to seek proposals from firms that have experience recruiting city managers.

To reach Scott Franz, call 970-871-4210, email scottfranz@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @ScottFranz10


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