Newport council approves new administrator, contract terms

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Lakeville assistant administrator Brian Anderson was appointed Thursday as Newport's next city administrator, as city council members unanimously approved contract terms that will pay the 35-year-old a starting annual salary of $88,000.

Anderson will take his place in Newport City Hall June 8, replacing interim administrator Barry Sittlow.

Terms of Anderson's employment agreement dictate he can be terminated from his position by the city council, with or without cause, at any time.

Anderson's hire closes a turbulent, post-election period in Newport that saw longtime administrator Larry Bodahl and assistant administrator Bart Fischer leave the city in short succession in December and January.

Anderson has been assistant city administrator in Lakeville since 2003. Previously he served as a utility maintenance employee for Lakeville from 1996 to 2000 and a public works technician with the city of Woodbury between 2000 and 2003.

He was selected from a field of four finalists last week by a 4-1 city council vote.

Tags: city council, city administrator, news, newport