Clarkston’s new City Manager Carol Eberhardt was hired at the City Council meeting on April 8. She will replace Dennis Ritter, who has been city manager since 2008 and announced his retirement in January.
During the meeting Monday night, both of the final city manager candidates, Eberhardt and Andrew Potter, gave presentations on how they would handle their first 100 days in office.
After the presentations, the council deliberated about who would be hired for the position. In a 4-2 vote, Eberhardt was hired. Peg Roth and Stephen Hargis opposed the motion. Eberhardt did not vote.
In addition to hiring Eberhardt as city manager, the council had to vote to overrule the City Charter.
Because Charter section 4.18 doesn’t allow employment of an elected official until a year after their term has ended, the council had to secure at least five votes to overrule it to employ Eberhardt. She was elected to serve on the council in November.
After a 5-1 vote, the council made an exception to the Charter.; Roth was the only council member to oppose the motion, and Eberhardt did not vote. Pending her resignation from the council along with background and reference checks, Eberhardt will start as city manager at the end of April. Council will appoint a new council member to serve out her term.
The next City Council meeting is on April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.