September 9, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
After spending nearly an hour in executive session Tuesday night, the Elk City Commission approved to enter into negotiations with Interim City Manager Tom Ivester to take the job over full time.
Mayor Nick Archer says the commission reviewed 17 applicants but felt Ivester was ultimately the right man for the job.
Ivester was appointed last June shortly after former City Manger Lee Litterell was terminated. During his nearly three month tenure as the interim city manager, Ivester has made personnel changes with city employment, paid off certain loans to ultimately help the city financially in the long run, and is currently working on improving city infrastructure – most notably within the public works department.
Mayor Archer also praised Ivester’s background as a public servant in the Army, National Guard, and as a former State Senator.
It is anticipated the commission will formally approve the hire during their next bi-monthly meeting on September 16.
