Patrick Salerno is Wichita’s next City Manager after the Wichita City Council approved his contract in a unanimous vote on Tuesday. Salerno, who served as the City Manager of Sunrise, Fla., the past 18 years, will start his job with the City of Wichita on July 14.
Mayor Carl Brewer and other City officials provided details of Salerno’s contract during a 2:30 p.m. news conference on Tuesday at City Hall, 455 N. Main. Brewer was joined by Vice Mayor Sue Schlapp, City Council members, interim City Manager Ed Flentje, City Attorney Gary Rebenstorf and businessman Steve Martens, who headed a 17-member Citizens Committee that screened 30 candidates. In recent weeks, Brewer, Schlapp, Flentje and Rebenstorf managed contract negotiations with Salerno who did not attend the news conference.
“We’re pleased that Pat Salerno has accepted the City’s top administrative job,” Brewer said. “He has the experience, expertise and record of success to help take our city to an even higher level.”
Brewer emphasized Salerno’s depth of experience and accomplishments in economic development, urban planning and efforts to fight blight in aging neighborhoods in Sunrise.
Salerno’s employment contract provides an annual salary of $215,000, a monthly car allowance of $700, and a cell phone allowance of $125. Other terms include four weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick leave and health and life insurance. For more information, please see attached employment contract along with Salerno’s resume.
Salerno served as city manager of Sunrise, Fla., from 1990 to 2008. Previously, he served as county manager of Chatham County, Ga. and assistant county manager of Volusia County, Fla. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.
The City Manager reports to the seven-member Council, oversees 3,100 employees, a $500 million annual budget and a $2.4 billion Capital Improvement Program.
Salerno will be the 20th person to serve as Wichita’s City Manager. He fills a position vacated when former City Manager George Kolb resigned on Jan. 2. Salerno was recommended by a 17-member Citizens Committee, led by Wichita businessman Steve Martens. Martens said Salerno emerged as the top candidate from a pool of 30 applicants and nine finalists. He, too, cited his strong record of accomplishment in economic development.
Tuesday’s news conference will soon be available on City7 and the City’s Web site, www.wichita.gov.
Back to Top