CONNELL -- The Connell City Council has offered the city administrator position to Gian Paolo of Falls City, Ore.
Paolo was one of three finalists for the job, which pays $77,000 per year and has been vacant since former city administrator Steve Taylor left in September.
Mayor Gary Walton said Paolo radiated charisma during his interview Feb. 20.
"He's outgoing and came right to the point when asked questions," Walton said. "And, he was the only one who had questions for us asking where the community was headed. What are our plans for the future?"
Paolo was born in Italy but has lived in the United States for more than 26 years, according to a press release. He has more than 15 years of senior administrative experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in the fields of engineering, planning, economic development and administration.
He has worked as a community and economic development director, chamber of commerce executive director, and city administrator in communities with populations ranging from 1,000 to 45,000 in Oregon and Idaho.
Paolo's hiring must be approved by the city council, Walton said. The mayor has forwarded a copy of the contract to J.W. Consultants of Spokane.
"I hope to have a signed contract by the next council meeting on March 6 and have him working by early April," Walton said.
Walton said choosing between the three candidates was a tough decision. The city council also interviewed Rod Otterness of International Falls, Minn., and Zachariah Collom of San Andreas, Calif.
"Of all the years I've been hiring administrators we've never had this many qualified candidates," he said.
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