Former Community Development Director Named City Manger of Fort Morgan, CO

FORT MORGAN, CO - Monday, August 17, 2008 - On August 5, 2008 the Fort Morgan City Council offered Ironwood Community Development Director Pat Merrill the job of City Manager of Fort Morgan. According to The Fort Morgan Times, "After receiving by far the best ratings from every panel that assessed the four finalists for the job, Merrill will receive a formal offer, the Fort Morgan City Council decided in a unanimous vote Tuesday night."

According to the report Merrill stated he would accept the position.

Merrill was the director of community development in Fort Morgan since November, having moved from Ironwood, Michigan to accept that job. There were three other finalists for the position. The other two finalists were Morgan County Commissioner Jon Becker and Daniel Dible of New Mexico.

The City of Fort Morgan underwent a very aggressive screening process before making their final decision. They went so far as to visit Ironwood to interview people he worked with and for. Three panels were assigned the job of assessing the candidates for the position -- a community panel; City staff; and City Councilmen. City Managers from other nearby communities also weighed in on the decision process.

According to The Fort Morgan Times report:

The ratings ranged from 1 to 4, with 1 being the best rating and 4 the lowest.

The community panel rated Merrill at 1.42; Becker at 2.29; Dible at 4.0; and Johnston at 2.29.

The city staff panel scored Merrill at 1.285; Becker at 2.857; Dible at 2.285; and Johnston at 3.571.

The city council ratings were 1.28 for Merrill; 2.85 for Becker; 3.0 for Dible; and 2.01 for Johnston.

The three city managers, who served as assessors of the candidates during two sessions of "assessment center testing," ranked the four finalists in pairs, Mayor Jack Darnell said. They rated Merrill and Johnston as "interchangeable" as the No. 1 and No. 2 candidates, and ranked Becker and Dible as equal for the Nos. 3 and 4 positions in the field, he said.

After the vote, Merrill thanked everyone involved for their support and spoke with emotion about the outcome.

"This really doesn't boil down to me, that's not why I do this," Merrill said. "It's about a community, and about the town that we call home. We're working on some great projects, some exciting projects and they're really community projects. It's not about me, and I'm not out to build a resume or make a big name for myself. It's about where I live and doing really the best I can."

Merrill said he's been given advice in the past "to be kind to one another and I really think we need to do that."

"Put the past behind us and let's take our energies and move the community forward, because it's a great town and there's so much potential," he said. "That's why I moved here, and I want to be part of that. So I would accept the offer of employment, and I am very excited and also very honored."

After a few seconds of silence, the council chambers erupted in applause.

Merrill also introduced his wife, Chelle, and his 4-year old son, Patrick, as well as his mother and stepfather, all of whom were in the audience of about 20 people at the meeting.

Later in the meeting, Merrill also publicly thanked Acting City Manager Keith Kuretich, the city's police chief who has filled the job since the firing of former city manager Michael Nagy in February.

"He stepped into a difficult situation and did just an outstanding job," Merrill said of Kuretich. "He's a class act, and we're lucky to have him."

Asked Wednesday what gave him such a substantial edge in the ratings, Merrill pointed to his 11 years of local government experience.

"That really weighs a lot," he said. "Also, I already work for the city of Fort Morgan and have a lot of projects going. That gives an advantage, and people also know your work ethic and that you get things done."

Merrill will meet soon with Kuretich to get caught up on city projects that are in the works but with which he may not have been involved to this point, he said.

"We want to keep things moving forward; we don't want to lose our momentum," he said.

He will also help with the search for a replacement for himself as community development director.

As to his relationship with the city council, Merrill said it is excellent, and keeping it that way will come down to communication.

"This current council is very proactive and has set a great set of goals and objectives for the city staff," he said. "I see that continuing."

Many letters of support were featured in the City's local newspaper as well. The Chronicle would congratulate Pat Merrill on his new appointment and we wish him and his family all the best.