The Ellsworth City Council has hired John Deardoff of Hutchinson to be the interim city administrator.

That approval came during a May 26 special meeting after two executive sessions to discuss non-elected personnel (the administrator vacancy) lasting a total of 35 minutes.

Deardoff, of Deardoff Consultants, retired in 2020 after 40 years in city government. He was city administrator for the City of Hutchinson, and also served as interim city manager of Chapman from January to February of 2021.

As interim Ellsworth City administrator, Deardoff will be paid $50 per hour plus expenses until the council hires a permanent city administrator.

“In the job search process, John performed exceptionally well,” Ellsworth Mayor Dan Finnegan said in a brief telephone interview with the Independent-Reporter the following morning. “The council felt very comfortable with his skills, aptitude and demeanor. As we continue our search for a full-time city administrator, the council feels very fortunate to have John serve as interim city administrator. The search is going to continue.”

“It’s an opportunity I’m really excited about,” said Deardoff, also in a brief telephone interview the next morning with the I-R. “I was disappointed we weren’t able to find a candidate in the first go around. But I think in the end it will allow the council to regroup as we prepare for another search.”