WASHINGTON TERRACE -- City Manager Mark Christensen has been hired for the same position in Saratoga Springs and will be leaving in 90 days.
"Washington Terrace is a phenomenal community. I've been thrilled to be there. This is an opportunity to move to a community that is more than double the size of Washington Terrace both by population and geography. Washington Terrace is two square miles, and in Saratoga Springs there is so much potential for future development and growth. It's an excellent opportunity, but it's been wonderful to be a part of the Washington Terrace community, and I'm sad to be leaving," Christensen said Thursday.
Mayor Mark Allen said the city will advertise for Christensen's replacement immediately and expects to hire a new manager by October.
"We won't skip a beat. We'll move right along. Mark's the third city manager I've hired over the last 10 years. We always get a better person. I expect no less on this one," Allen said,
"Change is good. I've talked to most of the council and they are excited to move on. We'll move right along with a positive attitude and we'll do great. Mark and his family will do great in their new duties. It's a win-win."
Allen said Christensen has led the city through significant improvements, including building a new City Hall, the new civic-senior community center and fire station, rebuilding almost every park, completing numerous road projects, creating a 25-year capital plan, transitioning to a five-year budgeting process and securing more than $10 million in gifts and donations.
Christensen said city staff is capable of moving the city forward.
"I have unique talents and abilities, but I'm a failure as a manager if I haven't developed those skills in the staff. They are fully capable and will be very successful whether I'm there or not," he said.
Saratoga Springs' mayor and city council unanimously chose Christensen from among 55 applicants at a special meeting Wednesday night, according to information on that city's website.
He will begin working there one day per week and hopes to train his replacement during that time. Christensen currently lives in Washington Terrace but will move to Saratoga Springs once he sells his home.
"I will only be an hour down the road," Christensen said, "I've put so much of my heart and soul into Washington Terrace. I'm anxious for it to be a success."
Christensen has been Washington Terrace's city manager since April 2004. Before that, he was the budget, debt and grants manager for Park City.
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