Yakima Council Approves City Manager Agreement with Robert Harrison

During its August 4th regular meeting, the Yakima City Council approved a contract with Robert Harrison, under which Harrison will become the next Yakima City Manager.  Harrison’s first official day on the job will be Tuesday, September 1st.

As part of the agreement, Harrison will receive an annual base salary of $207,000. After the first year of the City Manager contract term, the City may increase Harrison’s base salary and/or other benefits in such amounts and to such an extent as the City Council may determine appropriate on the basis of an annual performance evaluation.

Harrison was Renton’s chief administrative officer from 2018 until May of this year.  Before that, he was the city administrator in Issaquah (2010-2018), city manager in Wyoming, Ohio, city administrator/clerk/treasurer in Mosinee, Wisconsin (1996-1998), and assistant to the city administrator in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (1995-1996).

On Tuesday, July 7th, Harrison was one of four finalists for the City Manager position who were interviewed by a panel of seven community members and a panel of seven senior City staff members. The finalist pool included Harrison, Pasco City Manager Dave Zabell, City of Paso Robles, California Public Works Director Dick McKinley, and current City of Yakima Interim City Manager Alex Meyerhoff.

On Wednesday, July 8th, the finalists were interviewed by the Yakima City Council during a special meeting. At the conclusion of that meeting, the Yakima City Council voted to enter into negotiations with Harrison.

In April of this year, the City Council approved a competitive process to find a replacement for Cliff Moore, who served as Yakima city manager from July 2016 through August 2019.  From a total of 39 applicants, the City’s Human Resources staff presented the Council with a pool of 13 semi-finalists.  During a June 22nd special meeting, the City Council reviewed the semi-finalist pool and selected the finalists.

Robert Harrison