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College Place introduces interim city administrator Michael Mathias
Summary
At a July 1 workshop, the College Place City Council met interim City Administrator Michael Mathias, who outlined his background and initial priorities and praised city staff; council members voiced support. No formal appointment vote was recorded.
Michael Mathias, the City of College Place’s interim city administrator, spoke to the City Council at a July 1 workshop, describing his background and first impressions and saying he is committed to supporting the city while a permanent administrator is selected.
Mathias told the council he previously spent eight years as city manager of Des Moines and said, "I was fortunate in 2019 to be awarded city manager of the year in the state of Washington." He praised city staff: "I'm amazingly impressed with your staff, and I think you have a wonderful staff. They're very respectful. They're very knowledgeable. They're very committed." (Mathias, interim city administrator.)
The introduction matters because the interim administrator will lead daily operations and help the council and staff manage ongoing development and infrastructure projects while the city completes its permanent hiring process.
Council members responded with welcome remarks and questions. Council Member Jessup thanked Mathias for filling the role and for “keeping the ship going.” Council Member Cleveland asked how Mathias was adapting to the position; Mathias said local government work is "complicated" and described the task of “getting your arms around what the universe looks like" and coordinating the many pieces that affect development and infrastructure. He mentioned typical considerations such as mitigation for police and fire costs, emergency management, schools and utilities.
Council Member Boyle thanked Mathias for stepping into the role and said the city was “matched with a really, really great individual to be able to help us bridge this next gap.” Council Member Sherman had no questions and reiterated support for city staff.
Mathias characterized the job as engaging: "The way to kill me is to bore me. So and this is not boring. Trust me." (Mathias, interim city administrator.) He also said he intends to work closely with staff and the council: "I'm absolutely committed to helping in any way I can." (Mathias, interim city administrator.)
No formal council action or vote on a permanent appointment was recorded during the workshop. The council did not provide a timeline for a permanent hire during the meeting; that timetable was not specified.
