Veteran city treasurer plans retirement
Berl Tiskus
Polson City Treasurer Bonnie Manicke returns to her seat after delivering her resignation.
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POLSON — Surprising many people, including Mayor Pat DeVries and Polson City Commissioners, Polson City Treasurer Bonnie Manicke announced plans to retire in May at the April 1 Polson City Commission meeting. Manicke began her 37-year career with the city when she first ran for the office in 1977, and then when it became an appointed position in 1982, she stayed put.
“I discovered a passion for public service,” she explained.
She’s worked with 12 mayors, and most recently with two city managers and two interim city managers.
Since she’s been city treasurer, Manicke said she remembered interest rates on six-month short-term investments at 17.5 percent in 1979 to 1982. The current rate is less than half a percent for a one-year term.
One important project Manicke worked on was Special Improvement District, Woodbine Estates Subdivision, when Manicke and Mayor Jim Jones sold undeveloped lots in parcels of five lots for $25,000 to prevent the bond issue from default.
The $1.5-million Streetscape Project, completed in 2010, is another undertaking Manicke worked hard to complete.
She will be missed and received a hand as she returned to her seat.
In other business, the commissioners chose Cindy Dooley, Steven Eschenbacher, Ruth Hodges, Jane Irwin and George Mahoney as the city manager search committee, but schedule was announced.
Commissioner Todd Erickson noted it was tough to get through all the information in his packet and make informed decisions when he does not receive the agenda until Saturday evening.
After discussion about the issue, the commissioners tabled an agenda item regarding restrictive covenants in LaVista Overlook subdivision until the next meeting.
Commissioners approved a resolution to authorize City Manager Todd Crossett to solicit a request for proposals for engineering service for a new wastewater headworks facility and mechanical treatment plant.
The commission’s next meeting will be held on April 15 at 7 p.m.
