The borough assembly on April 9 approved Mason Villarma’s contract as borough manager.
The assembly vote was unanimous.
Villarma went to work as finance director in September 2021 and has been serving as both finance director and interim borough manager since November 2023 when Jeff Good stepped down as manager to accept a federal job.
Villarma’s four-year contract for borough manager goes into effect May 5.
During his tenure as interim borough manager, he helped see the borough through the deadly landslide Nov 20 and recovery efforts.
He spoke with excitement in an interview about the more than $8 million the borough has received in state and federal grants in the past year, and the $45 million in project grants it has applied for next year. His focuses for the borough as manager are growth and prosperity, he said.
The borough is advertising for a new finance director and Villarma said hopefully one will be hired by May 5.
Villarma’s negotiated salary is $160,000 per year, with a cost-of-living adjustment of 4% annually. He negotiated the new contract with Mayor Patty Gilbert and Vice Mayor David Powell.
The assembly agreed last month to hire Villarma, with the terms of his contract to be negotiated.
Good started at $126,000 a year when he was hired as manager in 2022.
The contract allows the manager to serve on the Southeast Alaska Power Agency and to continue as cross country coach at Wrangell High School.
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