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Tumwater council unanimously confirms Paul Simmons as city administrator
Summary
The council confirmed Paul Simmons as city administrator and authorized an employment agreement with a starting salary of $219,696 and a start date of Jan. 16, 2026, after a brief debate over contract wording and a short recess.
The Tumwater City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to confirm Mayor Meredith Dahlahoff’s appointment of Paul Simmons as city administrator and authorized the mayor to sign an employment agreement.
Staff said Paul Simmons would start on Jan. 16, 2026, and noted a proposed starting salary of $219,696. During the discussion Councilmember Gabbi raised a point of order about whether the proposed contract fell under a previously approved template; the city attorney and staff clarified that no administrator template existed and agreed to amend emailed materials to remove the word "template." A short recess followed heated remarks and an apology from a council member.
After the meeting resumed, a motion to confirm the appointment passed unanimously. Paul Simmons thanked the council and the community, saying, "I'm honored and I'm so excited. First day will be the sixteenth, and I just can't wait to get started."
