Mendota Heights Chooses New City Administrator

The Mendota Heights City Council announced their pick for city administrator Friday.

Their selection, Justin Miller, is the city administrator for Falcon Heights. He was one of three finalists interviewed Thursday for the position.

The city received 45 applications for the job of city administrator following the departure of over the summer. McKnight left to take the city administrator position in his hometown of Farmington.

Council member Jack Vitelli said that the three finalists were all solid candidates, but he was particularly impressed by Miller’s forthright and intelligent responses to interview questions as well as his personality.

Vitelli also said that Miller had been the second choice in 2009 when McKnight was hired.

“He really was clear that he wanted this job at the city of Mendota Heights,” Vitelli said.

Mayor Sandra Krebsbach said the decision was unanimous among the five council members. She said Miller’s strong leadership skills, current data management experience and technology skills will be an asset to the city. In addition, she said he will be instrumental in developing the city’s industrial park.

“For the residents, he will provide excellent service. He will be accessible, effective and I think the residents will enjoy and benefit from him being our city (administrator),” Krebsbach said.

Miller has served in Falcon Heights since 2006. Prior to that he has been employed with the cities of Chanhassen and Des Moines, IA, according to a statement released by the city.

He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and business administration from Austin College of Sherman, TX and a masters of public administration degree from the University of Kansas. Miller is a credentialed manager with the International City/County Management Association.

Tammy Schutta, Mendota Heights human resources coordinator, said that the city will perform a variety of background checks and negotiate a salary before offering a final contract, expected to be before the council Nov. 1. The pay range offered is $88,000-$107,000.*

Diehm said Miller will need to provide 45 days notice to Falcon Heights upon finalization of the contract. That puts his start date sometime in mid-December.

Editor's Note: This article has been edited to reflect the correct staff member who provided the information. We apologize for the error.