© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Ferguson's interim city manager is stepping down

Pam Hylton
Jason Rosenbaum | St. Louis Public Radio

Ferguson is back in the hunt for an interim city manager, after its current interim announced she is resigning to take a permanent job in Richmond Heights.

Pam Hylton has been the interim city manager sinceJohn Shaw resigned in March.  Shaw’s departure came just after a Justice Department report that was critical of city operations before and during the unrest following the Aug. 9 police shooting that killed 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Hylton most recently had been Shaw’s assistant and had been with the Ferguson government for four years.

Hylton’s last day in Ferguson will be May 15. In her new job, she will be Richmond Heights’ assistant city manager.

“After much thought and discussion with my family, we determined this is the best decision for me at this time,’’ Hylton said in a statement. “…Ferguson is a great community and I am glad I was part of it.”

Her announcement comes just weeks after Ferguson voters elected three new members of the six-person city council.

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles praised Hylton, and said in a statement that her departure was a surprise. “We appreciate her contributions and accomplishments during her tenure here in Ferguson," the mayor said.

“But I have no doubt that the dedicated employees of the city of Ferguson will continue to provide great service to our residents in an efficient manner.”

The city now plans to hire a firm that specializes in interim staffing for municipal governments. The aim is to hire an interim city manager and an interim assistant.

A separate firm is to be hired to conduct a nationwide search for a new city manager.

Jo Mannies is a freelance journalist and former political reporter at St. Louis Public Radio.