The Snoqualmie City Council has tapped Parks and Public Works Director Mike Chambless to serve as its interim city administrator. Councilmembers approved his appointment via a 6-1 vote.
Chambless will fill a vacancy created by Mike Sauerwein, who left the city in May, according to his LinkedIn profile. Sauerwein had worked for the city for nearly 18 months at the time of his departure.
It is unclear why Sauerwein left the city. A city spokesperson declined to confirm to the Valley Record if he resigned.
“All I can say is that he has left the city,” said Danna McCall, a city spokesperson.
Before his time in Snoqualmie, Sauerwein spent the prior eight years as city manager of Medina. He spent another nine years as assistant city manager of Sammamish.
In a press release, Snoqualmie Mayor Katherine Ross thanked Sauerwein for his work at the city, but offered no further explanation for his departure. McCall said no further comments are expected beyond the release.
With Sauerwein’s departure, Chambless became Snoqualmie’s fourth city administrator in less than four years.
Rick Rudometkin was the city’s last permanent city administrator, prior to Sauerwein. Rudometkin was appointed to the role on an interim basis in January 2020. He took on the role full-time the following June.
After Rudometkin resigned, Snoqualmie Fire Chief Mark Correira took over on an interim basis beginning in March 2021, holding the position for less than a year. Correira stepped down after Sauerwein began working for the city in January of 2022.
Chambless was hired by the city in February 2022 as its parks and public works director. He will continue to oversee that department in addition to his new role as city administrator.
He previously worked as a resource management agency director in San Benito County and as a management services director and assistant city manager for the City of Hollister, Calif, according to a city release. He holds a bachelor’s in natural sciences from San Jose State University.
Mike Chambless. Courtesy photo.
