Mayor Senden's compensation during administrator vacancy
Summary
The council is deciding whether to keep the city administrator role, change its powers, or switch to a city manager form of government — the last of which would require a public vote. An interim appointment is being considered to keep things running.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed May 18, 2026.
Impact analysis
The outcome affects how a roughly $58 million budget and up to 250 employees are managed day to day.
Residents could see more stable, professional city management whichever direction is chosen.
Critics, including two council members and a public commenter, say the pay is too high or the process shut them out.
Mentions & discussions (4)
City Council - May 18, 2026
The mayor has been running city operations since January while also serving as mayor; the council gave him $1,500 a week retroactive to May 4, over two dissenting votes. A resident argued the city's advertised administrator salary range ($174k-$265k) is far above Midwest norms.
City Council - May 13, 2026
While the city administrator job sits vacant, the mayor is putting in an extra 20-30 hours a week overseeing ten direct reports. The proposal pays him $1,500 a week starting May 4 until a permanent administrator is hired.
City Council - Mar 11, 2026
The council is deciding whether to keep the city administrator role, change its powers, or switch to a city manager form of government — the last of which would require a public vote. An interim appointment is being considered to keep things running.
Spearfish pays $250,000 to part ways with city administrator
Spearfish pays $250,000 to part ways with city administrator Black Hills Pioneer
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