On his first day on the job, new Sequim city manager Matt Huish said the area seems close to what he remembers after his first visit years ago.

The specific childhood memory that sticks out, he said, included visiting the Olympic Game Farm where a critter reached in through the backseat window and knocked over a soda cup.

While the animal attraction left a funny family memory, he finds the people here have already given a good impression, too. He and his wife Sandra, an emergency room trauma nurse, visited four times before and after he became a finalist for the Sequim position, Huish said.

They found locals share a universal message — that everyone who lives here chooses to live here.

“They’re super gracious,” he said Monday afternoon, from his new office at the Sequim Civic Center. “We love it here.”

Huish arrived in Sequim on Sunday night from Utah where his wife is trying to sell their home. As he works in Sequim and stays in an acquaintance’s guest bedroom, he’ll look to rent or buy a home here, he said.

Huish’s start date came one day before the General Election where five city council seats went to a vote. However, Huish said his priority to meet residents remains unchanged. That includes meeting city residents, tribal and church leaders, business owners and many others.

“I hope that’s (my schedule) for the next couple of months,” he said.

Huish comes to Sequim after serving as chief city administrative officer for Sandy, Utah, since Jan. 2018, where he oversaw 600 full-time benefited staff, 300 seasonal part-time employees and an approximate $115 million annual budget, according to his application resume.

During a finalists’ meet-and-greet with Sequim residents, Huish said he places emphasis on team building and collaboration, and being neutral, a good listener and transparent.

Washingtonian again

Prior to living the last 20-plus years in Utah, Huish moved to Seattle as a preschooler and grew up in Tacoma, graduating from Stadium High School and completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Therapy, Athletic Training from the University of Puget Sound.

He later transitioned to healthcare administration before city administration, including roles as administrative director for the University of Utah’s School of Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department for about 10 years and as manager of neuroscience clinics at the University of Utah hospitals and clinics for three-plus years.

A majority of Sequim city councilors approved his hiring in September after a three-month consultants’ search, and two-day interview session in September with him and three other finalists, including interim city manager Charisse Deschenes. She took on the role after former city manager Charlie Bush resigned in January after a majority of councilors called for his resignation.

Deschenes went back to her previous role as assistant city manager effective Nov. 1.

Huish said he’s spoken to Bush and his predecessor, retired city manager Steve Burkett about the position.

Salary

As city manager, Huish will earn a $180,000 salary along with retirement and health benefits, and $17,000 in relocation expenses.

The position’s salary received an approximate $40,000 increase in June from a majority of city councilors to account for increased real estate prices.

His contract doesn’t state a term but does indicate he and city staff/councilors hope for at least five years in the role. However, if his role is terminated with cause, the city will only be obligated to pay for accrued compensation and benefits, according to the contract; while if his role is terminated for anything other than cause, he’ll receive a full year’s salary and health benefits.

Part of his contract allows him to take leave without pay to assist City of Sandy staff/elected officials through Jan. 3, 2022, to hire a new administrator to replace him.

He participates in his first city council meeting on Nov. 8. For more information, visit sequimwa.gov.

City manager switch costs $200K

Through a public information request, City of Sequim staff report the call for Charlie Bush’s resignation cost the city about $207,000 — with $125,000 in salary for the year, $10,219 in unemployment claims, $10,441 for state healthcare under Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), $28,944 for Charisse Deschenes’ increase in salary and benefits as interim city manager, $4,079.51 for city manager finalists’ food, lodging and meals, and $28,500 to contract with search firm Colin Baenziger & Associates.

City clerk Sara McMillon wrote via email that the city does not track staff time regarding the resignation process.