WEST JORDAN — A city administrator who fell victim to a political firestorm in California will manage West Jordan, a city that has weathered its own share of political upheaval.
On Tuesday, the West Jordan City Council unanimously endorsed the selection of Gary Luebbers to manage the city of 86,000 residents and lead the efforts of 380 employees.
Luebbers, who worked for Redlands, Calif., for 13 years, will begin as West Jordan's city manager Monday. In that position, he will earn $120,000 a year to manage a $70 million budget in one of the Wasatch Front's fastest-growing cities.
Luebbers was city manager in Redlands for seven years until April, when elected leaders in that city voted 3-2 to fire him from his $114,000-a-year job.
Newspaper accounts detail a bitter fight among a divided council, some of whom swore by Luebbers' effectiveness as a sound financial manager who helped the city maintain strong economic health.
Luebbers was opposed to an annexation proposal that involved commercial development and became the subject of personal attack that eventually led to his ouster.
Tuesday's selection of the retired 22-year Air Force military veteran came after months of searching that involved more than 50 candidates.
West Jordan hired a recruiting firm, Ralph Anderson, to seek qualified candidates from throughout the country to replace Dan Dahlgren, who resigned as city manager amid controversy and allegations of financial mismanagement.
The search started in August, and by the end of November, West Jordan leaders met in a closed-door session to pick from a final field of four.
City Council member Brian Pitts said Luebbers quickly emerged in that meeting as the obvious choice for the job.
"It wasn't too tough. There wasn't much controversy," Pitts said. "I think he has the qualifications to be an effective city manager. That is what I am looking for, quality administration."
Mayor Donna Evans, who has often found herself on the other side of the fence with Pitts, agreed.
"Overall, (Luebbers) wants to raise the bar in the city, and the council was united in their desire to bring someone of this caliber on board."
Evans said several factors emerged in the selection process that had leaders leaning toward Luebbers, who has a master's degree and served as a department head in a variety of functions.
"He's customer-service-orientated and understands the concept that our residents are our customers," Evans said.
"He's extremely fiscally conservative and we felt that was plus. He was a gentleman who communicated to us he expected high standards from employees and he was willing to reward them for accomplishing those goals."
With Luebbers' selection, interim City Manager Jake Nielson will able to return to his full-time position as fire chief for the city.
E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com