Port picks administrator to fill Grams’ shoes

Tony Brown, administrator of the Town of Buchanan in Outagamie County, was hired Tuesday by the Port Washington Common Council as the city’s new administrator.

“I’m excited to start and work with the council and staff to ensure I understand the vision for the city moving forward and the community continues to thrive,” Brown said after signing his contract during a special meeting of the council.

Aldermen were complimentary of all four finalists for the job, but said Brown stood out from the field.

“I think he checked all our boxes,” Ald. Jonathan Pleitner said.

“And added a couple we hadn’t thought of,” added Ald. Dan Benning.

Benning said he was impressed by Brown’s strong background in finance and process, adding, “for me that’s what differentiated him from the rest. The candidates all had different strengths.”

Brown, he added, is enthusiastic and has a passion for the role.

Ald. Pat Tearney said Brown had clearly researched the city and delved into information about the community.

“He had really done his homework,” he said.

Brown, 35, was tapped for the position by aldermen following two days of interviews, a community meet-and-greet session and an assessment center last week.

Brown’s first day on the job will be April 27. He will become the city’s third administrator, succeeding Mark Grams, who will retire April 9. Grams has been the city administrator for 34 years.

Although there will be a gap between their terms in office, Grams said he will still be available if city staff members have questions.

Brown, he said, will be a good fit for the office.

“Staff, when they interviewed him, were very comfortable with him,” Grams said.”He’s got good experience, a little bit of everything, and I think that bodes well for him.”

Brown will be paid $114,500 annually, according to his contract. He will also receive a $50 monthly stipend for business use of his personal cell phone.

The city will also pay as much as $5,000  toward his moving expenses provided he moves to the city within 18 months, the contract states.

Brown and his family live in Wauwatosa, and he said last week that he intends to relocate to Port.

Brown has been administrator of the Town of Buchanan, a community of about 6,800, since October 2017. He had been assistant to the city administrator in Wauwatosa from August 2011 to September 2017.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science with an emphasis in law studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2008 and a master of public administration degree in municipal management from UWM in 2011.

He had been an administrative intern for the City of Wauwatosa and an intern in the governor’s office and for Rep. Tamara Grigsby. 

Brown’s appointment which was unanimously approved by the council, is subject to a background check and drug test.