Escanaba City Council recognizes City Manger James McNeil as he prepares to step down from role. (Photo courtesy of Craig Woerpel)

ESCANABA — An interim city manager has been appointed by the Escanaba City Council, as the current city manager, James McNeil, prepares to leave the position.

On Thursday, the Escanaba City Council promoted Melissa Becotte, the city’s controller, to the position of interim city manager.

To compensate her for the added responsibilities, the council approved a $3,000 monthly stipend for the duration of her time as interim city manager, along with an additional $1,500 stipend for remaining in the role during the onboarding of a new city manager.

Council Member Karen Moore said, “I think we’re fortunate to have somebody that’s been here so long, that is so knowledge, that is willing to step up and do this for us. Not all communities have that luxury.”

The council also approved Becotte’s request to cash out excess paid time off and accrued vacation time.

Becotte’s promotion came after the council discussed the next steps for the city manager recruitment process. According to the city, the previous candidate withdrew during contract negotiations, leaving the position vacant.

The city retained Walsh Municipal Services for an amount up to $14,950 to assist in the recruitment process of a new city manager.

Moore added, “This company has a really good track record with other communities of our size and in the U.P.”

Human Resources Director Heather Calouette told the council the firm would reduce its fee by $550 if Escanaba Public Safety conducts background checks for prospective candidates.

The search for a new city manager comes after McNeil told the council in December that he would be stepping down from his position sometime in May.

McNeil began serving as Escanaba’s interim city manager on Nov. 4, 2022, and was unanimously appointed to the permanent position by the City Council in February 2023.

He also continued serving as city assessor — a role he had held since 2019 — during part of his tenure as city manager. Crystal Martin now serves as the city’s full-time assessor.

—

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.