Former Kentucky city manager chosen for Flandreau job

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Flandreau has offered the city administrator job to a South Dakota native who most recently worked in Kentucky.

Jeff Pederson, 60, said he is interested in the position and was negotiating with the city on a contract late last week. The council’s final approved, if an agreement is reached in time, was planned for the April 2 meeting this week.

 “If everything goes well they will approve it and take final action,” Pederson said. “I’m looking forward to the council final action Monday night.”

Pederson has 35 years of experience in city administration, most recently serving as the city manager of Paducah, Ky., for seven years. He also had a similar position in Vermillion, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.

He and his wife, Andrea, want to move back to South Dakota to be closer to family and to work in a smaller community. Pederson said he looks forward to working closer with Flandreau city staff, the council and the community.

Mayor Mark Bonrud said the council looked at the pros and cons of each of the two finalists and liked Pederson’s experience. The council met for about 90 minutes to talk about the decision in a private executive session and announced Pederson was the choice.

“Both candidates were very good,” Bonrud said. “At the end of the day, we chose Mr. Pederson because he had a lot more experience. Coming from as much experience as he has, it should be a good fit for the city of Flandreau.”

If the contract is approved, Pederson would start May 2. City administrator Don Whitman plans to retire May 1 after six years in the position.

Flandreau Development Corporation leaders were given an opportunity to talk to the candidates when they visited. The group is pleased with the selection, said Carleen Wild Wilson, FDC president.

“We were truly impressed by Mr. Pederson’s qualifications and commitment to the communities where he has lived and worked,” she said. “We look forward to working with him and the city as we strive to better support and grow our local business community.”

Pederson was one of two finalists that interviewed in Flandreau for the job. The second candidate was Jeff Barbier of Rapid City.

Pederson grew up in Yankton and Sioux Falls and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history and master’s degree in public administration. His wife is a Tyndall native, and they have four grown children.

(UPDATE: At Monday, April 2's city council meeting, Flandreau City and Pederson have agreed to a $90,000 contract. He will begin May 2.)