Jamestown (CSi)  Meeting in Special Session Thursday evening at City Hall, the Jamestown City Council concerning hiring Sarah Helleckson, as the new City administrator.

Council Member Phillips was not present.

At Thursday’s meeting, the Council considered approval of the contract.

Council Member Buchanan asked if she would be a Civil Service employee.

Deputy Auditor Jay Sveum said she would be a contract employee, with step salary increases consistent with the city’s civil service employees.

Buchanan added that he’s pleased that Helleckson accepted the position and that she will do a good job.

The Council voted unanimously to approve her hiring.

Helleckson’s starting date is February 20, 2018.

She has been the solid waste coordinator for the city of Plymouth, Minnesota, who previously withdrew her candidacy, and was re-contacted by the search committee, to come in for an interview.

Other finalists included:

Chris Schilken, loan manager and lender at Prairie Federal Credit Union in Minot, and Aaron Mitchell, finance director for the City of West Fargo were previously interviewed.

The committee initially selected Shilken, however, following negotiations, the offer was withdrawn, and further discussions terminated.

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs informed the city last year that he was retiring on December 31, 2017.

However, as the search continued, the City Council offered Fuchs the opportunity to stay on past that date and until his successor was chosen on a part-time basis using a combination of his unused vacation pay and other pay arrangements, which he accepted.

Fuchs will work with his successor through the transition process.

Fuchs says he plans fully retire by March 31st this year.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67.