The Chandler City Council voted unanimously Monday to hire Mark Pentz of Rockville, Md., as its new city manager.
He starts Jan. 19 and will be paid $157,000 a year.
His contract also includes a $550 monthly reimbursement for a vehicle used for city business, and up to $15,000 to relocate to Chandler. Pentz also will be reimbursed for temporary housing for up to 120 days.
Pentz was the candidate who could best address Chandler’s challenges of growth, transportation, downtown redevelopment and older neighborhood preservation, Mayor Boyd Dunn and Councilman Bob Caccamo said.
"We had a very solid pool of candidates, and Mark simply rose to the top," Dunn said. "I think the council feels he is the right candidate that can address the issues Chandler will be facing in the future. Those issues primarily revolve around build-out. He has dealt with that where he is now."
Pentz is the city manager for Rockville, which has a population of about 65,000.
"I believe he has the experience, knowledge and leadership skills to help us get to the next level," Councilman Phill Westbrooks said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get it done."
Now that the city has hired Pentz, contract negotiations can begin with Sherry Kiyler, who is the city’s top choice for police chief.
