Pasco council ready to usher in ‘new wave,’ releasing city manager from contract early
The Pasco City Council decided at a special council meeting Monday to terminate City Manager Adam Lincoln’s employment early. The council said the move was necessary to get started searching for his replacement.
Lincoln recently was hired as the Port of Pasco’s executive director and is set to start in March. He is taking over for longtime Executive Director Randy Hayden who is retiring in March.
The city exercised an early release clause of Lincoln’s contract. His last day at the city is Jan. 31.
Lincoln joined Pasco in 2020 as deputy city manager and was appointed city manager in April 2023.
“It’s been an honor to serve the city of Pasco and I’m glad that I’ll still remain in the city and serve our residents,” Lincoln said to the council.
“I can’t say enough good things about the (city) staff. You’ve got an amazing team here. These are amazing subject matter experts who are trying to do the very best to serve you all and the direction that you want to send the city in.”
Councilwoman Melissa Blasdel was the only dissenting vote. Councilwoman Blanche Barajas was absent from the meeting.
“Selfishly, I wanted to keep you here for the next 60 days because I think you’re a true asset to the city,” Blasdel said, explaining her ‘no’ vote.
Mayor Pete Serrano and each of the city council members expressed their thanks and praised Lincoln at the meeting.
“We spent about three and a half years together (and) navigated a pandemic,” Serrano said.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve this community with you, to get to know your family and your commitment to the community ... You’re going to be a tremendous asset to (the Port).”
Councilman Peter Harpster shared a story.
“Last year, I attended a leadership luncheon and the ice-breaker question was ‘Who is a leader in Tri-Cities that you admire?’” Harpster said.
“I said City Manager Adam Lincoln ... One thing that I’ve admired about your leadership, and it will continue at the port, is your ability to connect with a lot of people throughout Tri-Cities as well as the state.”
Lincoln announced his resignation from the city on Jan. 17, giving the city the 60 day-notice called for in his contract.
The early release requires the city to pay Lincoln’s salary and benefits for the 60-day period, through March 18.
Interim services
The council also agreed to contract with Snoqualmie-based GMP Consultants for interim city manager services until the city conducts a formal search for a new city manager.
“The early release reflects our ability to bring the next wave in here,” Serrano said at the meeting.
“Hopefully we’ll get some really solid experience, which is what we’d like to do.”
The plan calls for a GMP Consultants employee to be appointed as Pasco’s interim city manager on Jan. 31 and would be paid more per hour than Lincoln was, according to documents attached to the meeting agenda.
The interim leader will start Feb. 1.
The proposed hourly rate for the interim city manager is $175 per hour based on an annual salary of $336,700. The city also would pay for occasional overnight accommodations and mileage reimbursement. Lincoln’s original contract sets his annual base salary is $218,000.
This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM.
