Crossett offered Polson post

SANDPOINT — Former Bonner County Commissioner Todd Crossett is mulling his options after being offered a city manager’s position in Polson, Mont.

The Polson City Commission voted unanimously on Monday to offer Crossett the position, the Missoulian reported on Wednesday.

Crossett said from his home in Cocolalla on Thursday that he hasn’t inked his signature on a contract just yet.

“We’re just working out some details and I hope to have a final decision in the next few days,” Crossett said.

Crossett said he is also contemplating an adjunct teaching position in a master’s business degree program at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Crossett holds a master’s degree in international management and development.

“I’m taking a look at how that might work and if I can do both (jobs),” he said.

Crossett, the Missoulian said, was only one of three finalists to sign a formal letter of interest in the manager’s post at the salary and benefits being offered. The Missoula newspaper reported that the salary is in the $65,000 to $80,000 range.

Polson is a community of about 5,000 at the southern end of Flathead Lake.

The Missoulian reported that two other people vying for the position pulled their names from consideration. One candidate, a former Missoula County commissioner, indicated he no longer wanted the job and another hopeful, a city official from Hampstead, Md., backed out upon learning that the salary and benefits were no longer on the negotiating table.

“Both candidates were excellent, but Todd is younger and has more energy. He’ll be a good asset to the city,” Polson Mayor Lou Marchello told the Missoulian.

Crossett, a 43-year-old Democrat, was elected to the Bonner County commission in 2006. He lost his re-election bid to Sagle Republican Cornel Rasor in the 2008 general election.