Presque Isle has hired its library director as assistant city manager, a change that will be effective Friday.
Sonya Eyler will leave the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library to help manage municipal operations, City Manager Tyler Brown said Monday.
City councilors voted in August to create a deputy manager position in place of the vacant economic and community development director post once occupied by Galen Weibley. With Eyler overseeing day-to-day operations, Brown will focus on bigger-picture projects like growing revenue, housing and the proposed downtown redesign, he said.
The city used a third party to conduct screening and interviews for six candidates, then a city hiring committee looked at each one. Eyler rose to the top of the list, he said.
“The decision was driven by her leadership acumen and her desire and drive to see our city grow in a very productive and positive way,” Brown said. “She breaks down barriers, and that’s so key, especially in the world we live in now.”
Eyler brings more than 26 years of municipal experience as librarian and knows the community well, Brown said. He plans to work with her as she familiarizes herself with the job, and the two will partner in city operations, he said.
Her position carries a salary of $92,000 per year, which comes from what was already budgeted for the economic development director position that the city decided not to fill.
Eyler comes in at a time when the city is involved in several projects that will help it grow, Brown said. The new Elm Estates housing project is underway and more housing is planned. The Maine Department of Transportation is working with the city on redesigning the downtown to boost business and community engagement.
The city has also seen revenue rise by about $1 million from use of The Forum as an event facility, emergency medical service transfers and increased tourism, he said.
“We’re seeing increased interest from outside organizations and companies in the city that are looking to expand. To me, we have to capitalize on that now,” Brown said. “I feel that she can really hone in and help me drive those pieces.”
Eventually Brown plans to spend more time in community engagement and helping to build tourism. The city needs to continue to go after tourism dollars, he said.
Eyler was not immediately available for comment.
The city will at some point search for a new library director, Brown said. Library staff will pitch in to fill her role for the time being.
Another change will take place on Friday, when Code Enforcement Officer Tim St. Peter moves into a dual role. He will continue in the code position but has been promoted to deputy director of innovation and economic development, Brown said.
The city is not spending any additional money on the promotion, he said. Since residents can now file code complaints online, that is expected to reduce code enforcement duties and will give St. Peter the chance to expand his development focus.
“We have considerable talent within the city. This is kind of shuffling the deck to make sure we have the right focus in the right areas,” Brown said.
