Sandpoint hires Stapleton

SANDPOINT — Jennifer Stapleton was formally approved by City Council as the new city administrator, Wednesday. She will start the job Jan. 4.

About a dozen people came to the public forum to meet Stapleton, and she said most of them were there to introduce themselves and the organizations they are involved in.

Stapleton said it was mostly people "wanting to meet me in person." She enjoyed meeting the staff, public and council and looks forward to working with the community and the many different organizations she has heard about.

Once the council approved her position, she said a small amount of relief set in.

"I didn't take anything for granted," Stapleton said. "I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running."

Mayor-elect Shelby Rognstad, who was part of the hiring committee, said Stapleton was "head and shoulders" above the other applicants for the position. Once he takes the mayoral seat, he will be her direct boss. They both answer to the city council.

"She's the mayor's right-hand person," Rognstad said.

Rognstad said Stapleton will handle a lot of the administration duties, freeing up his time to be the mayor.

"It will enable me to be out in the community more," Rognstad said.

Councilman Thomas Eddy is excited about the new position and to see what new opportunities the city can explore. He said she will be full-time, where the council members mostly work full-time and participate in the council part-time. This will help the city be more effective with its communication with the public.

"We come up with the ideas and she figures out how to implement everything," Stapleton said.

Aaron Qualls, Planning and Economic Development director, said he met with Stapleton for the first time on Tuesday, and feels her economic development experience and grant writing will benefit Sandpoint.

"It will be a huge asset to the community," Qualls said.

Fire Chief Ron Stocking said he also met Stapleton Tuesday, and they had a good conversation.

"I'm excited to work with her," Stocking said. "I think we share some of the same views on what Sandpoint's future can be."?