PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend city officials have chosen an Ellensburg city employee as the next planning director, selecting him over five other finalists.
Lance Bailey, 53, is scheduled to begin work March 1.
One of his first tasks will be to work on the development of the city’s comprehensive plan.
“I was attracted to the position for many reasons,” Bailey said Friday.
“There is a strong commitment within the community for historic preservation and the reputation Port Townsend has for being a very livable and progressive community,” he added.
Bailey’s starting salary in Port Townsend will be $91,000 per year.
He succeeds Rick Sepler, who was earning $95,076 per year before he become Bellingham’s city planning and community development director, earning $131,508 a year.
About 30 people applied for the Port Townsend position.
Six finalists were selected. They were interviewed by three panels Jan. 15 with representatives from city staff, elected and appointed officials and community stakeholders.
The committees made recommendations to City Manager David Timmons, who offered the job to Bailey the following day.
The city announced Bailey’s acceptance Thursday.
“I selected Lance on the basis of the panel recommendations and his varied work experience,” Timmons said in a news release.
“He has had direct involvement with public agency long-range planning, development review, historic preservation and economic development, as well as private sector planning which gives him insight into the dynamics between private and public sector parties.”
Timmons called Bailey “a great asset to the department and the city as we move into our 20-year Comprehensive Plan update process.”
Bailey, who grew up in North Carolina, visited Port Townsend 22 years ago and was immediately taken by the environment.
He decided then that he wanted to live in Port Townsend some day, he said.
In addition to Ellensburg, Bailey also has worked in Oregon, where he was planning director for Wallowa County and associate planner for the city of Lake Oswego.
He has also worked in the private sector as a zoning supervisor for T-Mobile Wireless.
He holds an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of North Carolina and studied urban and regional planning as a post-graduate at the University of Oregon.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
