Mike Thomas approved as new Enumclaw city administrator

Enumclaw has a new city administrator, plucked from the ranks of its department heads.

Members of the City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve the recommendation of Mayor Liz Reynolds and elevate Mike Thomas to the administrator's post. The city administrator is charged with overseeing municipal operations on a day-to-day basis, following a direction set by the elected mayor and seven-member council.

Thomas has worked as director of the Enumclaw's Community Development Department, the arm of government responsible for the city's planning, permitting, zoning and code enforcement functions.

He took over the new job immediately.

The post had been held by Mark Bauer, who left to become city manager in nearby Edgewood. Bauer's final day in Enumclaw was Dec 14. Filling in as city administrator had been City Attorney Mike Reynolds; he is not related to the mayor.

Monday night also was significant in that it was the first meeting with Liz Reynolds in the mayor's chair. She served four years on the City Council and, in November, unseated incumbent mayor John Wise, who was seeking a third term.

Chosen Monday to serve as mayor pro-tem was Councilman Jeff Beckwith. The mayor pro-tem – chosen by council members from within their ranks – assumes the mayor's duties when the mayor is away.

• For an expanded version of this story, watch www.courierherald.com. A full version also will appear in the Jan. 20 edition of The Courier-Herald.

Contact Enumclaw Courier Herald Senior Writer, Editor Kevin Hanson at editor@courierherald.com or 360-802-8205.

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