Ark City commissioners plan to hire Dick Chesney – a retired city administrator living in Lawrence – to serve as interim city manager while the commission searches for a permanent replacement for Steve Archer, NewsCow has learned.
Archer will resign just after the first of the year.
A source with knowledge of the new arrangement said Chesney is expected to work between 90 and 120 days, but could stay longer if needed. He would assist in the search for a full-time administrator.
Chesney has considerable experience in the public sector and has served interim roles for a number of Kansas cities.
He would make a salary similar to what Archer made but without a benefits package.
Details of the arrangement were discussed in executive session Thursday evening, sources said. It’s unclear when a deal would become official.
City commissioners plan to launch a full search for a new city manager over the next few weeks.