Issaquah Mayor Appoints New City Manager

From the City of Issaquah: Mayor Mary Lou Pauly announced that she is appointing Wally Bobkiewicz as Issaquah’s next city administrator. The city council is scheduled to vote on a confirmation during its Aug. 12 meeting.

“Managing this replacement process has been my number one priority since I learned this spring that our current city administrator was departing our team this August. I recognize that this decision will be one of the most significant decisions I will make in my first term. The city administrator has such a key role in providing support to our elected council, managing our operations and assisting the mayor and the community towards achieving our shared vision for a complete, vibrant and sustainable community. I am excited to be bringing Wally on in this role. I have seen the positive outcomes in his current community and am confident he is a great match for Issaquah” Pauly said in a statement.

Wally Bobkiewicz is the city manager of Evanston, Ill. Evanston, home of Northwestern University and Rotary International, is a community of 75,000 residents located just north of Chicago with an annual budget of $300 million and 800 employees. Evanston has a nine-member city council elected by district and a mayor elected at-large. Evanston provides police, fire, parks and recreation, library, public works, planning, community development, health and human services, economic development and general administration services. The city’s water utility serves 400,000 area residents.

Before beginning his current position in August 2009, Bobkiewicz served seven years as city manager of Santa Paula, Cali., and 4.5 years as assistant city manager in Novato, Cali. Prior to that, Bobkiewicz served the City of Long Beach, Cali., for nine years in various capacities including telecommunications manager, assistant to the city manager and as an administrative analyst in the public works and police departments.

Bobkiewicz earned a master's degree in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a bachelor of science degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

He is past president and member of the Rotary Club of Evanston and volunteers with the Evanston Fourth of July Association and Evanston Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Bobkiewicz has served – as a member of the board of trustees of Syracuse University and is past president of the Syracuse University National Alumni Association.

Bobkiewicz’s professional activities include currently serving as Midwest Region Vice President of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Bobkiewicz has also served as the Chair of the ICMA International Committee (2006-09) and member of ICMA’s Sustainable Communities Committee (2014 – to present).

Bobkiewicz, his wife Patrice Frey and their son Wally IV, plan to move to the area. His first day is scheduled for Sept. 30.

“In my discussions with Wally over the last month, we have discussed allegations against the City of Evanston and himself that were covered in print and social media,” Pauly said. “I take allegations very seriously. During this search process, I have worked with our team to do our homework on each candidate, including comprehensive background checks. Allegations are not uncommon for executive level positions, and City settlements are not necessarily an admission of wrongdoing. These types of settlements are often made to save taxpayers from footing a larger legal bill.”