Wheeler interim city manager seeks narrower hours and pay change as council weighs mediation and recruitment

WHEELER, Ore. — The Wheeler City Council spent substantial time on Aug. 19 discussing city administration after interim city manager and finance manager Maddie Chestnut told the council she can continue both roles only through Sept. 14 while she begins a master’s program.

In a written city manager report Chestnut said she has been serving in both roles, is willing to continue in an interim capacity and proposed a modified compensation rate of $110,000 annually to cover the additional responsibilities after Sept. 14 until a replacement is hired.

Councilors and residents raised concern about the sustainability and potential conflicts of one person holding both roles. Several councilors urged seeking an interim manager from an outside source; others asked staff to pursue options through the League of Oregon Cities or other low-cost mediation and training resources rather than the $7,500–$8,000 training package Chestnut cited.

Chestnut said the dual role was a practical solution after turnover: “It was either me or there’s no one to do these things,” she told the council, adding she has been doing the work and that without someone filling the roles the city would lack staff to process permits, payroll and contracts.

Council discussion covered recruitment: the city has an open application period for a permanent city manager (applications opened July 28 and close Aug. 2, 2025, according to the manager’s report), and two applications had been received as of the Aug. 19 report. Councilors said they would meet in executive session after the application period to review candidates and consider options for an interim manager if needed.

The meeting also addressed internal disputes and conflict-resolution options. Council members said they want mediation but questioned the cost. Chestnut outlined League of Oregon Cities pricing and a municipal-specific trainer rate; councilors asked staff to explore lower-cost alternatives such as state agency dispute-resolution (BOLI) and to keep mediation as a standing agenda item until resolved.

Why it matters: City operations — permitting, payroll and contract management — require administrative continuity. Councilors sign payroll and review administrative actions; council members said they need a sustainable staffing plan that maintains service while avoiding conflicts of interest.

What’s next: Council directed staff to gather options for an interim manager and to research alternative mediation providers and training formats with lower cost. The application window for the permanent city manager will close and the council expects to review applicants in executive session.

Speakers
- Maddie Chestnut — Interim city manager and finance manager, City of Wheeler (government)
- Councilor Mary — Councilor, Wheeler City Council (government)
- Councilor Karen Matthews — Councilor, Wheeler City Council (government)
- Mark Nelson — Resident (citizen)

Authorities
- other: League of Oregon Cities mediation/training options (referenced by city manager as training choice)
- other: Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) alternative dispute resolution (mentioned by councilors as an option)

Actions
- referral/direction: Staff to explore League of Oregon Cities, BOLI and other lower-cost mediation and training options; staff to report back and keep mediation on agendas until resolved.
- discussion/direction: Staff to pursue options for interim city manager and to convene executive session to review applications after the advertised closing date.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion only: Pros and cons of dual-role interim staffing, concerns about sustainability and conflict of interest, training vs. lower-cost mediation alternatives.
- Direction: Staff to research interim manager options and lower-cost mediation resources; keep mediation as an ongoing agenda item.
- Formal action: No binding personnel change or hire was made at the Aug. 19 meeting.

Clarifying details
- category: interim compensation proposal; detail: Chestnut proposed to be paid at a $110,000 annual rate for the additional responsibilities after Sept. 14 while a replacement is recruited; source_speaker: Maddie Chestnut
- category: timeline; detail: Chestnut said she can continue current extended hours until Sept. 14, 2025; source_speaker: Maddie Chestnut
- category: recruitment; detail: City manager application period opened July 28 and remains open through Aug. 2, 2025 (report stated two applications were received as of the meeting); source_speaker: City manager report

Proper_names
- {"name":"League of Oregon Cities","type":"organization"}
- {"name":"Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)","type":"agency"}

Community_relevance
- geographies:["Wheeler"],"impact_groups":["city employees","residents who rely on permitting and public works services"]

Meeting_context
- engagement_level: {"speakers_count":10,"duration_minutes":120,"items_count":6},"implementation_risk":"medium","history":[{"date":"2025-07-28","note":"City opened application period for permanent city manager."}]}

searchable_tags:["city manager","interim","mediation","League of Oregon Cities","BOLI"],

provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"t-2589","local_start":0,"local_end":240,"evidence_excerpt":"I am currently serving as both the interim city manager and the finance manager for the city of Wheeler. I start my master's program in September, and I will be able to continue the work I'm doing until 09/14/2025... I would ask to be paid at a rate equal to $110,000 annually to continue these additional responsibilities after September 14 until a replacement is hired.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"t-2979","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Mediation training... The League requires an 8 week notice... The city currently has no funding for these options, meaning they're not budgeted for.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]},

salience:{"overall":0.72,"overall_justification":"Operational continuity is essential for permitting, payroll and contracts; personnel decisions and mediation affect governance and service delivery.","impact_scope":"local","impact_scope_justification":"Directly affects city administration and local services","attention_level":"medium","attention_level_justification":"Council and public expressed concern but no immediate budgetary decision made."},

engagement_forecast:{"newsworthiness":{"local":0.75,"justification":"Administrative continuity and mediation are important to local governance and service delivery."},"notify_recommendation":{"audience":"city","reason":"City staff and residents who depend on permitting and local services should be informed of transition plans."},"predicted_read_time_minutes":2.5},

graph_signals:{"entities":[{"id":"org:league_or_cities","name":"League of Oregon Cities","type":"organization"}],"events":[]}