Pullman City Council appoints Sean Wells as the next city administrator

The Pullman City Council appointed Sean Wells as the new city administrator during its regular meeting on Tuesday, with his official start date set for September 16. Wells, who has served as the Public Works director since 2023, expressed gratitude for the council's trust and looks forward to fostering community relations. He succeeds Mike Urban, who exited amid a dispute regarding his resignation and faced unfounded assault allegations that were later dismissed. The city engaged the employment agency Prothman to conduct a nationwide search for candidates, with a competitive salary range of $141,768 to $172,320. In related news, the council approved retaining funds for the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail bridge rebuild, which was largely financed through federal and state aid.

The bridge had suffered damage from an arson fire in 2023, costing over $263,000 to repair. Wells remarked on the positive impact of an internal promotion on staff morale and the importance of trust-building in his new role. The council's decisions signal a commitment to addressing both leadership and infrastructure challenges within the city.