Salina City Commission appoints Jacob Wood as city manager with $235,000 starting salary

The Salina City Commission on Aug. 25 appointed Jacob Wood as city manager and authorized the mayor to enter an employment agreement with an annual base salary of $235,000.
The appointment followed a national search and multiple executive-session discussions about terms of employment held by the five commissioners under KSA 75-4319(b)(1), the statute governing executive sessions for personnel matters. Commissioner discussion, as summarized by the mayor after the vote, focused on candidates' strengths, short- and long-term goals and the commission’s desire to select a manager who could guide the city’s growth and priorities.
Jacob Wood thanked the commission and said he had sought a city-manager role in Salina and intentionally pursued positions to prepare for this job. "This is a position that I've wanted for a really long time," Wood said. He said he looks forward to leading the city and building on ongoing projects and economic development efforts.
The motion to appoint Wood and authorize the mayor to sign the employment agreement passed on a voice vote described in the record as 5-0. Commissioners emphasized that the process was deliberate and that although rumors circulated publicly about offers to out-of-area candidates, the commission's final decision was made by the sitting commissioners in executive session and formalized with the appointment vote.
Next steps include finalizing and executing the employment agreement and a public transition plan; the commission did not discuss contract language in open session beyond confirming salary and authorization to enter an agreement.