Wentzville City Administrator Has Left her Post

The Board of Aldermen held a special meeting on Monday to discuss continuity of day-to-day city management and the search for a new city administrator as a result of the sudden departure last Thursday of Dianna Wright as city administrator.

City officials cite "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for Wright’s departure. Wright had served as Wentzville’s city administrator since June 2008.

At Monday's meeting the board directed the city’s attorney, Paul Rost, to complete implementation of the final severance provision in Wright’s contract as city administrator.

The board will begin conducting a search for Wright’s replacement immediately. Until a replacement for Wright is found, Wentzville’s Director of Finance and Assistant City Administrator, Dennis Walsh, will serve as the interim city administrator.

The city administrator is appointed to the position by the board of aldermen, according to the city's web site. The administrator provides professional leadership in carrying out the policies and objectives formulated by the board of aldermen. 

The city administrator is part of a team with the mayor and board of aldermen, and may make recommendations to them. 

The duties of the city administrator are as follows:

• Functions as the chief administrative assistant to the mayor and chief operating officer of the city.
• Prepares and submits an annual budget and a five-year Capital Improvement Program to the Board for consideration
• Supervises over purchasing, budgeting, financial reporting, public relations, policy development and personnel management.
• Serves as the Board’s chief advisor 
• Coordinates the day-to-day operation of all city departments to carry out the policies of the board of aldermen and ensure the citizens of Wentzville are being properly served.
• Responsible for the administration of all city personnel.

Wentzville Patch is following up on this story and will have more information as it becomes available.