Management skills, use of technology and effective intergovernmental communication stood out as strengths according to the most recent annual performance evaluation for Philomath City Manager Chris Workman.
Mayor Chas Jones and the Philomath City Council released the results of the evaluation Tuesday in a prepared press release. Councilors had approved the wording of the release on a 5-1 vote (Jessica Andrade nay, Christopher McMorran absent) following an 11-minute discussion at a Nov. 13 meeting.
“I appreciate the evaluation — good feedback all the way around and obviously things I still need to work on to better serve you and better serve the community,” Workman said at the council meeting. “As you often tell me individually, it’s a tough job, and it is a tough job, but I do enjoy it. There are highs and lows but it’s a good profession and I’m happy to be here and plan to be here for a long time.”
Workman will mark his 10th year as Philomath’s city manager in March.
The City Council’s annual assessment features 18 questions in four professional competencies — character and leadership, administration and organization, community and intergovernmental relations, and council relations. Each question had five possible responses that ranged from unacceptable to exceptional or not observed.
In addition, councilors were asked to provide general or specific areas in which the city manager was doing well or could be more effective.
The average performance rating on the leadership, administration and intergovernmental relations competencies “exceeded expectations” and in the area of council relations, the average score was “acceptable.”
According to the press release: “As the city manager’s performance relating to the first three competencies exceeded expectations in most categories, the City Council has full confidence in the city manager’s leadership and wishes to emphasize that the city is in good hands moving forward.”
