Salem council appoints Christian Amburi as interim city manager, delays full recruitment until September

The Salem City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Christian Amburi as interim city manager and directed staff to prepare an interim city manager employment agreement and defer a full recruitment until at least September 2025.

Councilor Nordyke moved the appointment, saying, “I move to appoint Christian Amburi as our interim city manager to direct staff to prepare an interim city manager employment agreement, and to defer any recruitment for a new city manager until at least September 2025.” Councilor Nishioka seconded the motion. The roll call vote recorded all aye and the motion passed.

Councilors who spoke in support emphasized Amburi’s familiarity with city operations, the budget process and the need for continuity while the city addresses a fiscal shortfall and an upcoming local option levy. Nordyke said Amburi has “already been serving as an acting in capacity city manager since February '10” and argued the city needs stable leadership through the budget and levy processes.

Josh Eggleston, chief financial officer, told council that severance for the former city manager is budgeted through December and the city is budgeting for a single city manager position through that period; he said he could not comment on specific pay terms beyond employment-agreement specifics. Amburi told council she does not seek additional pay and will remain at the deputy city manager pay level during the interim assignment.

City Attorney Dan Acheson explained that the interim appointment will be formalized through an employment agreement that can provide protections and clarify whether Amburi has the right to return to her prior position if a new city manager is hired. Acheson said those agreements typically include terms to protect internal staff who accept interim responsibilities.

Council discussion also addressed workload and staff support; several councilors urged Amburi to maintain work–life balance and thanked the broader leadership team for assistance. The council acted on the motion after public testimony and passed the appointment by unanimous roll call.

The council’s motion also directed staff to delay recruitment for a permanent city manager until at least September 2025, giving Amburi time to lead the city through the current fiscal year budgeting and the local option levy timetable.

Clarifying details: Amburi has been serving in an acting capacity since February 2025 and has previously worked as a deputy city manager and overseen enterprise services, according to remarks in the meeting. The employment agreement will be drafted and return to council for approval at a public meeting; details of severance for the prior manager and pay for the interim were discussed in general terms but specifics will be set in the drafted agreement.