Council chooses Zelms to be Rochester's next city administrator

Alison Zelms has been tapped to be the fifth city administrator in Rochester history, pending final negotiations.

Zelms, now deputy city manager in Mankato, was selected to lead the city’s day-to-day operations in a unanimous vote Monday afternoon by the Rochester City Council. Zelms and fellow finalist Heidi Nelson, city administrator of Maple Grove, interviewed with the mayor, current council, and council members-elect in a public interview process last week.

In all, 59 candidates submitted applications for the job. The city has been parterning with the firm Baker Tilly on the process since last fall. Baker Tilly will now work with Zelms to reach a contract agreement. The council is expected to vote on a final contract with Zelms on December 14.

In becoming administrator, Zelms will oversee a city with 940 employees and a 2021 budget of $472 million, as approved Monday by the council.

Prior to becoming Mankato’s deputy city manager, Zelms served as the deputy city manager in Prescott, Arizona, the assistant city manager in Sedona, Arizona, and director of administrative hearings in Evanston, Illinois. Zelms received her bachelor’s degree in public administration from Augustana College and her master’s from the University of Kansas.

Zelms is slated to take over for Steve Rymer, who is permanently relocating to Oregon to be closer to family. She will report to a council in 2021 that includes four new members, including a new council president.

Cover photo courtesy City of Rochester