Salem council appoints Krishna Namburi as city manager; adopts new salary range

The Salem City Council on Oct. 13 voted to appoint Krishna Namburi as city manager and approved an adjustment to the city manager salary range, sending employment terms to staff for negotiation.

Councilor Linda Nishioka moved the appointment of Krishna Namburi and a companion motion earlier in the meeting set a new salary range for the classification, both actions approved by roll call votes. Nishioka said Namburi "has displayed strong leadership in the city and her current role as interim city manager." The council voted to confirm the appointment by recorded roll call; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The council paired the appointment with a salary-range adjustment intended to keep Salem competitive for candidates. The range the council adopted was presented by staff as reflecting market comparisons to Beaverton, Bend, Eugene, Gresham and Hillsboro and to a recruitment range previously cited by staff. Nishioka said the change "keeps Salem competitive within the market" for a chief executive overseeing roughly 1,300 employees and a near‑$1 billion total budget.

Supporting details: Councilors who spoke in support — including Nordyke, Matthews, Varney, Gwynn and others — noted Namburi's service as interim city manager and prior roles in deputy city manager and other leadership positions. Councilor Nordyke said Namburi's "work ethic is beyond reproach," and Councilor Matthews said the council would be "fools not to take that opportunity to hire her," describing her experience and readiness to lead.

Next steps and limits of action: The council authorized the city attorney to prepare an employment agreement for later consideration. City staff noted Oregon public‑meeting law limits council discussion of specific salary terms outside a properly noticed executive session; the council will meet again to consider the written agreement. No employment contract or exact compensation terms beyond the adopted classification range were finalized at the Oct. 13 meeting.

Public comment and context: Members of the public and councilors invoked the recent, high‑profile leadership transition during remarks leading into the item; the appointment followed earlier council action to adopt the salary classification range.

Ending: The council’s action makes Namburi the city’s permanent chief administrative officer pending execution of a formal employment agreement to be considered at a future meeting.