In a short City Council meeting on March 25, councilors unanimously approved Assistant City Manager Cecily Pretty’s role as a permanent position with a new title, Deputy City Manager.
City Manager Jason Ogden said he changed the role title to Deputy City Manager because he’s heard confusion about the former title, Assistant City Manager, which, according to him, some interpreted that to mean she was an administrative assistant.
“Really, what she’s doing is so much more,” he said. “She’s been operating as second in command and – as you all know – she filled in as the interim city manager for a month.”
He explained the two of them have been working together during the past seven months or so, handling city manager duties, deputy city manager duties, chief of police, half of a finance director, economic development director duties (since that role was vacated by now-city attorney Blair Larsen), and an administrative services director role.
“It’s not changing anything in our budget right now; it’s already been budgeted for,” Ogden said. “But we’re essentially doing more with less, and we’re proud of that… My recommendation would be to move to approve the formalization of this position.”
The role of assistant city manager was formed in August 2024 on a temporary basis to assist the interim city manager position. The action today makes the position permanent, with its new title.
Councilor Josh Thorstad made a motion to approve transitioning Pretty from interim city manager to deputy city manager. Councilor Dylan Richards seconded the motion. Many on the council expressed praise for Pretty’s expertise and work with the city. The motion passed unanimously.
“Thank you all very much. I really genuinely love this community a lot,” Pretty said.
In other business, councilors and staff provided brief updates on committees and department reports. The council held a work session to go over council goals prior to its regular meeting.