Tumwater confirms Paul Simmons as city administrator after heated exchange over contract wording

The Tumwater City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to confirm Paul Simmons as the city administrator and authorized the mayor to sign an employment agreement that the city presented at the meeting.

Staff introduced Simmons as the mayor’s nomination, citing more than 30 years in public service and his current role as director of business administration and planning for Metro Parks Tacoma. The proposed starting salary listed in the staff report was $219,696 with a proposed start date of Jan. 16, 2026.

During council discussion, one council member raised a point of order and cited a statutory reference while questioning wording in a mayoral email that referred to a council‑approved "template." The city attorney clarified that the council had approved a template for some director positions but not specifically for a city administrator contract. Council members debated whether the email wording required correction; staff agreed to amend the email to remove the word "template."

The exchange became heated, prompted a 10‑minute recess, and resumed with members emphasizing collegiality. After the break a motion to confirm Simmons and authorize the mayor to sign the employment agreement was moved and seconded and then passed by unanimous vote. Simmons addressed the council, calling himself "honored and humbled" to join the city, said his first day would be Jan. 16 and invited residents and students to follow up with his office for discussions about local government careers.

The council did not adopt additional contract amendments during the meeting; staff said they would correct the mayor’s pre‑meeting email language as requested.