City of Florence makes historic hire with first female city manager
FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Florence City Council voted to offer a contract to hire its first female city manager in recent history.
In a Special Meeting, the council voted to offer a contract to Amy Nasta. Nasta's job offer comes after the city spent more than 18 months without permanent leadership.
Decade-long Florence City Manager Mike Patterson was fired and arrested for his harassing behavior toward women he supervised at city hall. He pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to two years of probation in January. Since Patterson's arrest, the city of fewer than 4,000 people has been stuck in turmoil, including a historic mass resignation of the city council, the firing of a city attorney and the demotion of its police chief. The 11th Judicial District Attorney's Office says its investigation into various corruption allegations involving city officials remains active and ongoing.
The Florence council voted to pay Nasta $138,000 in her first contract with the city. She was among 30 other candidates vying for the city manager job.
"I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to become the next City Manager for the City of Florence. My family and I look forward to moving to the beautiful state of Colorado and making it our home for years to come."
Amy Nasta, Incoming Florence City Manager
Nasta currently serves as the Deputy City Administrator in Gardner, Kansas.
Prior to joining the City of Gardner, Nasta served four years as city clerk for the City of Eolia, Missouri. She also worked one year for the Kansas City Zoo as a facility manager responsible for budgeting, scheduling, hiring, and managing staff. Nasta's resume shows she also spent Walt Disney Company five years working in various management roles.
"I'm excited. This is a big step for us. This is one of the things we were elected to do, was to find a new city manager, and I am excited for the City of Florence," Councilman Steve Wolfe said.
Nasta's contract indicates she could start working for the City of Florence on May 8.
"Our future looks very, very bright," Councilwoman Gail MacKinnon said.
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