Politics & Government
Interim Public Works Director Appointed Permanently
After a year in the position, Chester Nakahara officially gets to stay at the helm of the city department responsible for parks, roads, sewers and building permits.
Chester Nakahara stepped in as interim director of Piedmont's on July 1, 2010, when his predecessor, Larry Rosenberg retired.
"Chester has filled some very, very big shoes," said City Administrator Geoff Grote said in recommending his permanent appointment to City Council Monday.
The vote on Nakahara's promotion was unanimous.
Find out what's happening in Piedmontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Prior to taking over leadership of the Public Works Department, Nakahara, who is a Piedmont resident, served as the chief building official in the city for 13 years.
The appointment comes with a $13,295 raise, though Nakahara's new $146,245 annual salary is still 4.5 percent below the $152,892 Rosenberg was earning when he retired.
Find out what's happening in Piedmontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Finance Director Mark Bichsel told the council Monday that the director's position had already been included in the adopted 2011-2012 municipal budget at the top step of the salary schedule. Nakahara's new salary, Bichsel said, would actually be below budget.
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