Wagoner council creates city administrator office and authorizes hiring process after split vote

The Wagoner City Council voted to amend municipal code and create the position of City Administrator, folding the duties previously associated with the (historical) elected street commissioner into an appointed administrative role.

Councilors said the change modernizes the city's executive staff structure, gives the mayor and council a full-time administrative officer to manage departments and operations, and creates a hiring pathway for a contracted/appointed administrator. Opponents said they wanted additional detail such as a draft contract and an organizational chart before making a change.

Vote and next steps: The ordinance creating the City Administrator passed on a 4-3 vote. Council then authorized the Human Resources director to advertise, receive applications, conduct interviews and bring recommendations back to council for appointment of a City Administrator / Wagoner Public Works Authority director. Staff said they would advertise broadly using the city website, OML listings and other recruitment outlets and aim to have a contract and org chart for the council at the next meeting.

Why it matters: Creating a City Administrator changes how executive responsibilities are assigned in Wagoner government and shifts operational oversight from a previously elected or legacy office to an appointed official responsible to the mayor and city council. Councilors discussed asking for a three-year contract and an organizational chart describing lines of authority and supervision.

Ending: HR will run the recruitment and return finalists for council consideration; staff said the advertisement will run on the city website and through municipal networks.