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Fort Madison Selects City Manager

City of Fort Madison

Fort Madison's "next" city manager brings plenty of experience to the post.

The city council has offered the job to David Varley, who has worked in city administration for about 30 years in Colorado, Texas, and Nebraska.

His most recent job was as city administrator in Broken Bow, Nebraska, where he served until January 2014.

He left that position afterthe city council chose not to renew his contract.

Fort Madison Mayor Brad Randolph said Varley was very open about his work experience, adding that members of the city council decided the situation in Broken Bow did not concern them.

A total of 26 people applied to replace City Manager Byron Smith, who resigned to take a similar position on the west coast.

Varley’s contract should be approved by the Fort Madison City Council Tuesday night.  The details have not been released by the city.

While Fort Madison appears to have filled one vacancy in city government, another has come up. Fifth Ward Alderman Mark Lair is set to resign because he is moving out of the ward.

The city council is expected to appoint someone to replace him.  Residents could call for a special election depending on the result of the appointment.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.