The Shenandoah City Council extended an employment offer to Kathie Reyer, former city secretary and interim city administrator, for the position of city administrator, May 9, Mayor Ritch Wheeler confirmed May 10.

Reyer had previously worked for the City of Shenandoah for 11 years before announcing her resignation March 14, which took effect March 31. She served as interim city administrator for seven months, following the resignation of former city administrator Greg Smith in August. Public Works Director Joseph Peart has since stepped in as interim city administrator.

Reyer was a finalist for the permanent city administrator position prior to announcing her resignation to pursue another employment opportunity in the Austin area. However, Wheeler said Reyer opted to resubmit her application following her resignation.

The council discussed the open position of city administrator during executive session of the May 9 meeting in which applications were reviewed and interviews were conducted.

The council then returned to council chambers for a vote.

“Council went into executive session last night and interviewed candidates for the position of city administrator,” Mayor Ritch Wheeler said. “One of those candidates was Kathie Reyer. Upon conclusion, we came back out from executive session and Council Member Ron Raymaker made a motion to extend to offer to Kathie Reyer; Council member Charlie Bradt seconded the motion. We called for discussion, had a little bit [of discussion] and I called for a vote, which was 5-0.”

Although the council opted to hire a recruiting firm to fill the position during its April 11 meeting, at an expense of $28,000, Wheeler said they had yet to sign the contract, meaning the city will not owe the recruiting firm any money.