TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Councilor Linda Nishioka, Ward 1
SUBJECT:
title
Motion from Councilor Linda Nishioka concerning the appointment of Krishna Namburi as City Manager
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
end
MOTION:
I move that the City Council appoint Krishna Namburi as City Manager, subject to the approval and execution of an employment agreement by Council and direct the City Attorney to prepare an employment agreement for Council’s consideration.
DISCUSSION:
Krishna has displayed strong leadership of the City in her current role as interim city manager and over the years as Deputy City Manager, Enterprise Services Director, and Information Technology Director. As indicated by the recent performance evaluation, Krishna has strong support from Council, City staff, and from the City labor unions (Attachments 1, 2, and 3).
Stability and Momentum. She has provided stability for the public, council and staff since February, and it is important that we continue that momentum by appointing her as city manager.
Proven Leadership. Since February, Krishna has successfully navigated the City through one of the most challenging budget cycles the City has faced in years, and a successful local option levy - maintaining Library services, while extending operating hours and supporting Parks and Center 50+.
Fiscal Stewardship. Krishna implemented cost-savings measures internally, saving the City money, while providing a clear message to the community that the City was carefully managing its resources. Krishna also worked collaboratively with community members to make the City’s finances transparent clear, helping dispel concerns of inefficiency and waste in the City’s operations.
Operational Excellence. Krishna has not merely served as a “caretaker” during this interim period. She has worked to address operational needs within the organization within existing resources, by collaborating with her leadership team to address council goals and community needs effectively and efficiently.
Community Trust. As evidenced by the community’s passage of the local option levy, Krishna has contributed to the restoration of residents’ trust in the City, through transparent and direct communication with community members and being accountable for the City’s performance.
Delivery on Council Priorities. By garnering community support for City needs and providing innovative approaches for Council goals and objectives, Krishna has effectively brought the City closer to achieving success on Council priorities, while ensuring that all members of Council are treated fairly and equally through the process.
Appointment is in the best interest of the community. Krishna is imminently qualified for the position and has performed at a high level in her prior roles and as interim city manager. The City is unlikely to find a better candidate through a costly and time-consuming public recruitment, and certainly not one who combines her talent, innovation and decades of experience with the City.
Council should take action now to appoint Krishna as City Manager, and allow Council, Krishna and community to continue to work toward a better Salem.
Process:
If Council adopts this motion, the City Attorney will meet with the Krishna to discuss potential terms of the employment agreement and then meet with Council in executive session to review a draft agreement and discuss terms. Once Council and Krishna have a tentative understanding of the terms, the employment agreement will be presented to Council at an upcoming council meeting for consideration and approval.
Oregon public meetings law does not permit a governing body to discuss salary when considering the employment of a chief executive in executive session. To address this issue, Human Resources staff has previously conducted a market review of the City Manager position and will be making a recommendation that Council adopt a salary range for the position. Council may adopt that range prior to Council’s consideration of the final employment agreement.
body
Attachments:
1. 2025 interim city manager evaluation - City Council,
2. 2025 interim city manager evaluation - Leadership Team,
3. Summary of responses from City employee unions,
4. Krishna Namburi - Bio