SLEEPY EYE — After interviewing two finalist candidates for two hours and getting advice from a consultant, the Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a resolution to offer the city manager position to an Arizona woman Tuesday.

On a motion by city councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by councilor Joann Schmidt, the city council approved a $105,000 base annual salary plus benefits including moving cost reimbursement for Kelly Truver.

Now the Kingman Regional Medical Center Volunteer Services Manager, Truver is also an associate faculty member at Mojave Community College. Prior to those jobs, she was an adjunct faculty member at Jones International University and president of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Mojave County Advisory Board.

Truver holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, master’s degree in public administration and global management and a PhD in public administration.

She would follow Sleepy Eye City Manager Mark Kober who plans to retire but not until he helps his successor fill the position in the coming months. Kober said he plans to stay in Sleepy Eye after retirement.

In addition, the city council approved getting two moving company bids along with the salary package for Truver.

She was chosen for the position getting five votes from the city council and Mayor Wayne Pelzel. The other city manager finalist, Hallock City Administrator Angela Grafstrom, got two votes for the job after Liza Donabauer of David Droun Associates reviewed candidate evaluations with the city council.

“I was impressed with Kelly and all the work she did, talking to people in town. She really did her homework,” Kober said.

Truver said she wanted make Sleepy Eye a place where business and industry wants to go move to.

“I was very impressed with Sleepy Eye’s parks, lake, schools and downtown,” Truver said. “This is the most impressive small town I’ve ever been to. There is a lot going on here.”

Kober thanked the city council and city staff for all their work on the city manager hiring process that began six months ago.

The city council also unanimously approved

• Holding a hearing for 455 residents for the 2020 Street & Utility Project at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, in the Event Center.

• Preparing plans and specifications for the 12th Avenue Southeast Street and Utility Project, on a motion by Councilor Doug Pelzel, seconded by Schmidt.

• Raising 2019 non-union city employee salaries 3 percent and police salaries 2.6 percent, on a motion by Schmidt, seconded by Windschitl.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.