Junction City council authorizes appointment of Ben West as city administrator

The Junction City Council on Sept. 4 authorized the mayor to execute an employment agreement appointing Ben West as city administrator, with the contract to begin Sept. 9, 2026. The motion, made by Councilor Hancock and seconded by Councilor Leach, passed unanimously after a roll-call vote.

City attorney Mark Wolf summarized the agreement for the council, saying "The salary is right at the midpoint of the range that was advertised for the position, so at a 155,000." Wolf also described a temporary transitional pay arrangement allowing West to receive 70% of pay and benefits between his start date and Jan. 1 if he remains a county commissioner during that period. Councilors asked questions about vehicle use and mileage reimbursement; Wolf said those items would be clarified in the communication that accompanies the signed agreement.

The contract includes front-loaded leave (four weeks of sick leave and two weeks of vacation), relocation reimbursement up to $5,000, and a residency requirement in section 12 requiring the administrator to live within the Junction City limits. The agreement treats the administrator as an at-will employee with severance: three months of salary and benefits if terminated without cause before Jan. 1, rising to six months after Jan. 1.

Councilor Hancock praised the negotiated package during the meeting, calling it "probably the best contract I've ever seen for our city." Mark Wolf said he would send the agreement via DocuSign to Ben West, the mayor and the city recorder for signatures and attestation.