City manager earns high marks

City Manager Eileen Stein earned high marks from members of the Sisters City Council in a performance evaluation this month. She also earned a pay raise that brings her hourly compensation from $35.20 per hour to $36.26 per hour.

Councilors praised Stein's work in building a strong city staff and her skill in intergovernmental relationships.

"She deserves it and earned it," said Councilor Lon Kellstrom, who was reelected to a four-year term last November. "(She) hired good people who have performed well and their professionalism is evident and will improve."

Over the past couple of years, the city has hired new staff in planning, finance and public works.

"She's done a remarkably good job of creating a team at City Hall," said outgoing Mayor, Brad Boyd.

Boyd credits the council of the past two years for creating a climate where Stein, who has experienced some rocky times in her post, could improve her management and leadership.

"We've given her the tools to be successful," Boyd said.

Boyd noted that "two years ago, we had a council that wanted to cut benefits and wasn't paying competitive wages." Changes to the pay scale approved by the council have helped attract qualified staff into critical positions where they feel empowered and valued.

"That makes for a team - they want to do a good job for the City of Sisters," Boyd said.

Stein concurs with that assessment.

"The support that I've enjoyed by the council during this transition has made it easier," she said.

"It's a lot easier to do your job when you have the proper tools," Stein said, "Whether that's staff, a new building or the computer technology that we now have in place."

Bill Merrill, Council President, has accompanied Stein during many intergovernmental interactions and he believes Sisters is well served by its manager.

"There's no question but that Eileen has a great depth of knowledge and understanding of all the issues that affect the city," he said. "In sitting in those meetings, it is clear that she is far more competent than anybody in those meetings. She is, without a doubt, an outstanding representative of the citizens of the City of Sisters."

Both Kellstrom and Boyd indicated that Stein's communication with the council has improved, with good effect on the governance of the city.

"Communication's better, decisions have been clearer, her responses have been appropriate and prompt," Kellstrom said.

Boyd said he is leaving happy with the management capabilities Stein exhibits.

"Not only has Eileen succeeded, she has exceeded where we thought she'd get to," he said.

For her part, despite economic conditions that will require a close eye on finances, Stein feels that with a Transportation System Plan close to reality and a coherent downtown plan in the cards, the city is poised to step into the future with some confidence.

"Things are just starting to sprout all over town with possibility and opportunity - and we have the staff to pursue those opportunities," she said.

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Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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