Interim manager

The Bainbridge Island City Council has selected Ellen Schroer to serve as interim city manager until a new one is hired to replace Morgan Smith.

Schroer joined the city 10 years ago as the director of Finance and Administrative Services. She was promoted to deputy city manager in 2018.

As finance director from 2010-18, the city’s financial stability was restored through disciplined accounting and budgeting practices, the implementation of key financial policies, improved forecasting and reporting, and a multi-year commitment to rebuilding the city’s critical reserve funds. As a result, the city holds an Aaa bond rating.

Previously, Schroer worked in finance roles for the city of Seattle. She received her master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington and her bachelor’s degree in German Language and Literature from Whitman College.

Meanwhile, the council continues to work with SGR on the city manager search process. The council held an executive session Nov. 16 to narrow the list of finalists. The council will hold executive sessions Dec. 2 and 3 to interview the candidates with visits by the finalists expected in early January.

In January, the city expects to host a community online open house as part of the search process.

Interim leader

The Kitsap Community Foundation has hired Gina Anstey as its interim CEO after Kol Medina left for Walla Walla to become the new president and CEO of the Blue Mountain Community Foundation.

Anstey has worked at the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation for 12 years and is a seasoned leader in the philanthropic sector and a specialist in community philanthropy. Her excellence and experience will help guide the foundation through the transition and search for a new CEO.

The foundation’s board of directors has decided to hire Hagel Executive Search to lead the search for a permanent CEO. Hagel focuses exclusively on nonprofit CEO searches.

The goal is to have the new CEO selected by the end of February.

Rolfes again

Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, will continue to chair the Senate budget committee, Ways & Means, when the state Legislature convenes Jan. 11, 2021.

Every odd year, lawmakers in Olympia are responsible for creating a balanced budget that will guide the state’s spending for the following two year. As chair Rolfes will lead dozens of virtual public hearings while working with budget leaders in the House of Representatives and the governor’s office to write the operating budget. Under her leadership, the Senate passed its budgets and finished on time the past three sessions.

The legislative session will largely be conducted on Zoom. Check www.leg.wa.gov for the latest information. Legislative hearings are streamed live on TVW.org and also recorded and available to view in TVW’s archive.

Engagement

Adam Beck, son of David and Diane Beck of Bainbridge Island, is engaged to Courtney Cook of Houston. The surprise event took place on a beach in California with both sets of parents present. The wedding will be in September 2021 in Houston.