Michele DeWitt hired as Williamsburg city manager
DeWitt had been serving in interim role since her predecessor resigned Feb. 24
In an unexpected move, Williamsburg City Council voted unanimously today to appoint interim City Manager Michele Mixner DeWitt to the city manager’s post.
City Council had been interviewing search firms to find a replacement for City Manager Andrew O. Trivette, who resigned abruptly Feb. 24.
But Mayor Douglas G. Pons told us city council decided to skip the process and hire DeWitt, who has been with the city 20 years and previously served as assistant city manger.,
“As I talked to (the search firms), thinking about the whole process of onboarding, and, you know, the disruption…it's a big deal,” Pons said. “Why go through all that when we have somebody that meets all of our qualifications“
DeWitt’s appointment, effective immediately, was made at the conclusion of a special session held today to approve the city’s new $116.5 million budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Her contract calls for a starting salary of $230,000 a year, a $1,000 monthly car allowance, and other health and employee benefits. Besides her state retirement plan, the contract will make the maximum allowable contribution to her deferred compensation plan each year.
Trivette continued to be paid his $ 10,181.80 biweekly salary as of the city’s last payroll May 15, according to records the city released to us through our Freedom of Information Act request.
As of May 15 Trivette has received $153,208.80 in salary and a benefits payouts, city records show.