New City Manager Starts July 1

Bruce L. Johnson, former assistant city manager in Dewey, begins work next week as Grove's new city manager, replacing Bill Galletly, who retired in March after 30 years in the business.
"He was the Number One choice of all five city councilmen," said Terry Ryan, who said the council had interviewed a number of really good candidates over the past few weeks.
The decision to hire Johnson was made at an emergency meeting last week. Only two days before, Johnson had accepted a city manager position with the city of Perry, but resigned when offered the Grove position. Johnson had applied for the Grove position via letter dated March 31, 2007, which was less than three weeks after the resignation of Bill Galletly and before the city began actively advertising for new applicants.
Johnson has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a BS degree in Political Science from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, Mo. His most recent position was city administrator in St. Clair, Mo, a city of 4,390.
Dewey's population is 3,200 and is a suburb of Bartlesville.
He served in Dewey from 1999 to 2001 and again from 2003-2006. He left there to serve a few months as assistant city manager in Bartlesville.
Mayor Joe Franco of Dewey said "he did an outstanding job in Dewey, we wish we could have kept him and pay what he deserved, he is worth every penny he will get in Grove.
"He weighs things very carefully before making decisions, does not act on a whim, and he is very good at fiscal responsibility and cash flow management," he said. Franco said that Johnson modernized the city maintenance facility and got a bond issue passed by an 85% margin, and began work on the new downtown historic district.
Annette Breshears, City Clerk in Dewey, described Johnson as laid back, not a stiff collar type, a good person, and "what you see is what you get." She said Johnson likes to learn and had lots of accomplishments during his tenure in Dewey. In his mid-30's, Johnson is married with one daughter.
Described by Ryan as a "roll up the sleeves, personable kind of manager," Johnson comes to Grove facing a city council which has described itself as a "hands-on council." A part of his Employment Agreement with the city is taken directly from a state statute which limits the authority of city council to deal directly with city employees or "participate in any manner in the appointment or removal of officers and employees of the city, or give orders on ordinary administrative matters to any subordinates of the city manager either publicly or privately."
Johnson's salary will be $105,000 per year plus a monthly car allowance of $500, with a contract for one year. He will be paid nine months salary in the event he is terminated by Council, or contract not renewed during the contract period. He also serves as General Manager of GMSA, which pays 25% of his salary. He will receive moving expenses not to exceed $4,200; three weeks per year of vacation leave with sick leave accruing at eight hours per month, and health insurance as provided city employees.
Since March, Debbie Mavity has been Acting City Manager, has lost about half her weight working 70 hours a week, and goes back to Assistant City Manager July 1. She was not interested in the City Manager position, she told Council.