Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer announced on Thursday that he will begin negotiations to hire City Manager candidate Patrick Salerno, a veteran public administrator who was formerly the 18-year city manager of Sunrise, Fla.
During an evening news conference at City Hall, Brewer and Vice Mayor Sue Schlapp said they made a visit on Tuesday and Wednesday to Sunrise, where they gained additional knowledge about Salerno’s accomplishments in economic development, urban planning and efforts to fight blight in aging neighborhoods. Salerno’s resume can be viewed here.
“He brings a lot of experience, a lot of new ideas,” Brewer said. “He can take us where we want to go.”
Brewer said he will begin contract negotiations soon. No further negotiation details were released.
Salerno served as city manager of Sunrise, Fla., from 1990 to 2008. Previously, he served as county manager of Chatham County, Ga. and assistant county manager of Volusia County, Fla. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.
His candidacy is part of an on-going search process to fill a position vacated when former City Manager George Kolb resigned on Jan. 2. Salerno has been recommended by the seven-member City Council and a 17-member Citizens Committee, led by Wichita businessman Steve Martens who attended the news conference along with interim City Manager Ed Flentje.
Salerno interviewed in Wichita on Monday and Tuesday, including participation in a televised public form which can be viewed on City7, or cable channel 7 and here. Thursday’s news conference will soon be available on City7 and the City’s Web site.
Martens said Salerno emerged as the top candidate from a pool of 30 applicants and nine finalists. He, too, cited his success in economic develop.
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