GI Mayor Announces Recommendation for Interim City Administrator

By: Morgan Demmel Email

Updated: Tue 9:37 PM, Jul 10, 2012

After conferring with Grand Island City Council members, City Council President Peg Gilbert, and the board of trustees of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, Mayor Jay Vavricek is recommending Marlan Ferguson to be appointed interim city administrator for the city of Grand Island.

Mayor Vavricek said, “Marlan has a lifetime of experience, knowledge and my trust to be our city administrator. With council approval, I am confident Marlan will help form a strong foundation that will serve the best interests of our entire community and the council. He understands city government, its function and its challenges.”

City Council President Peg Gilbert agrees.

"He knows Grand Island, he's up on the current issues of Grand Island, and his past history of being a City Administrator, he knows the role," Gilbert says.

Ferguson says it's a role he's happy to fill.

"I was pleased that he respected my abilities and asked me to go back and work with him," Ferguson says. "We've had a good relationship over the years and I think it will hopefully be good for the community."

He and city leaders agree it's a step in the right direction.

"We're definitely moving on and looking forward," Gilbert says.

Ferguson says it's a great opportunity.

"I see a lot of positives happening in the community and I think we'll just carry that forward to City Hall," Ferguson says.

Ferguson has over 20 years of management experience serving nine years in Sidney, Neb., as the South Platte Natural Resources manager, nine years as the city manager in Sidney and over four years as the Grand Island city administrator. Since September 2003 Ferguson has been employed as the president and chief executive officer of the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation.

Ferguson is a United States Army Vietnam veteran and a member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks, St. Francis Foundation Trustees, Hall County Ag Society and Rotary International. Ferguson and his wife Glenda have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Ferguson's appointment as interim city administrator will be scheduled for council consideration at the regularly scheduled city council meeting Tuesday, July 24, with employment to begin no later than Monday, August 6.

The Mayor also announced a July 17, study session to discuss the recruitment and selection process for the city administrator position.

Vavricek says he's confident the 90-day interim period will allow plenty of time for that process to be finalized.