ST. GEORGE — After serving as the interim city manager for over two months, John Willis was appointed by the St. George City Council to officially assume the role moving forward.
The appointment was made Thursday evening near the beginning toof the council’s regular meeting and was accompanied by a press release provided to media.
“I’m surrounded by so many energetic, optimistic and dedicated city employees who go above and beyond to serve our public,” Willis said in the press release. “I am excited to lock arms with our staff and our elected officials and do my very best to maintain and enhance the qualities that make St. George such a great place to live.”
Willis, who served as the city’s community development director before his appointment, assumed the role of the interim manager in November following the departure of former City Manager Adam Lenhard. The interim appointment was quietly announced on Oct. 20 during the last council meeting Lenhard attended as city manager.
At the time, City Council announced the city would be considering national candidates for the city manager position once the application period opened.
In the meantime, Willis took his place at the city manager’s seat during regular council meetings and began to take up residence in the city manager’s office. During one of the work meetings held shortly after his appointment, a peek into the city manager’s office showed a room that had been cleared out, yet had a plaque with Willis’ name on it by the door.
A small stack of packed binders also sat on the desk in the office waiting to be addressed by the new interim city manager.
Willis’ prior office had been downstairs where St. George News previously interviewed him regarding the development of the city’s downtown plan
Willis became the city’s community development director in September 2018 when the city created its then-new Community Development Department. Prior to that position, he worked as the city’s planning and zoning manager for four years. He also worked as one of the city’s planners during a prior stint with the city, which amounts to approximately 10 years working for the city of St. George.
“John is just what we need in a city manager,” St. George Mayor Michele Randall said in the press release. “He is a tremendous leader, possesses an enduring love for the City of St. George, has a significant background in land use, has a great rapport with our city employees and provides a steady hand as we navigate our path forward.”
Overall, Willis has 17 years of experience in land use, planning and zoning, according to the city’s press release. His career includes over six years working for Mesquite, Nevada, as that city’s senior land use and environmental planner and as a planning coordinator for the City of Draper for a short while before that.
Willis grew up in St. George and graduated from Dixie High School. After graduating from Dixie State College with an associate’s degree, he earned a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in community development from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Willis was made the interim city manager following Lenhard’s departure on Nov. 1. Lenhard had announced he was resigning his position with the city “to pursue other opportunities” in early October.
Lenhard had served the city since his appointment in early 2018 and was voted out of the position by the City Council in July last year. His removal was reported to be connected to his handling of “We’re Here” drag show event held over the summer. He left the city with a $625,000 settlement over the matter.
However, due to conditions of the settlement agreement and rules governing closed-door council meetings, Lenhard and members of the council will not comment on issues surrounding the former city manager’s dismissal.
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