Nicosia gets nod as C.F. manager

Susan Nicosia will be the new city manager for Columbia Falls.

By a unanimous vote, the City Council on Monday decided to promote Nicosia, the current city clerk, director of finance and administration.

Some people were concerned that the city didn’t advertise for the position, but Nicosia had the recommendation of former City Manager Bill Shaw.

Council member Shawn Bates said advertising the position wouldn’t lead to a better candidate.

Mayor Don Barnhart said he didn’t think anyone else could compete with Nicosia for the job. His only question was: “Can she make the transition to this job?”

The council decided to review Nicosia’s job performance in six months.

A three-member committee consisting of Barnhart, Bates and council member Mike Shepard will meet with Nicosia soon to discuss the terms of the job offer.

Shaw, who worked his final day as city manager May 27, was at Monday’s council meeting as a planning consultant. Shaw, who held the Columbia Falls job for nearly 10 years, recently was hired as Kalispell’s public works director.

Nicosia has been city clerk since 2006. She served as mayor from 2003 to 2006 and was a council member from 1998 to 2003.