Newark’s Mayor and Council voted unanimously Monday night to select Carol Houck as City Manager. She has served as Interim City Manager since Kyle Sonnenberg’s retirement in late February. She had been assistant to the city manager.
Houck was one of two finalists for the position. A forum was recently held that offered members of the public the opportunity to ask questions regarding the finalists.
Houck says, “I am certainly very pleased and honored by the decision of our Mayor and Council in their appointment of me to the permanent City Manager’s position. I appreciate their confidence in me and their sincere approach to moving through the recruitment process. Additionally, it’s important to mention that the support of our employees and department directors has been very much welcomed during the past seven months and will continue to be as we begin to take a proactive approach to addressing the needs of our community and organization.”
Houck has lived in the Newark area for 22 years; the last 14 years have been with the city.
Houck began her career with the City of Newark in 1990 in the Parks and Recreation Department and in 1997 was promoted to the City Manager’s Office as the Assistant to the City Manager handling special projects, budget development, purchasing and resident outreach.
“Council made an excellent choice in selecting Carol. Her background with the City and being a resident have helped form a foundation for what I hope will be great things to come,” says Mayor Vance Funk, III.
In another development, council members tabled adoption of a revised building codes.
Critics had claimed one provision of the code regarding interior inspections of property infringed on the rights of tenants. The city denied the charge, reportedly made by a group affiliated with former Presidential candidate Ron Paul.
