What you need to know about Springfield's next city manager: Jason Gage

Jason Gage will be Springfield's new city manager. Gage will be coming from Salina, Kansas.

Springfield City Council held a press conference Friday afternoon to announce the selection. Gage will be paid $220,000 a year.  

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve in my home state as Springfield's city manager," said 49-year-old Gage. "I have always considered Springfield to be the finest community in the state. It is full of wonderful people and has a distinctive, progressive quality."

Before announcing Gage's selection, Mayor Ken McClure thanked members of the community and City Council members who served as a search committee.

"Jason emerged from a very strong pool of candidates," McClure said. "He was the best fit for Springfield with his experience in public safety and economic development, which is two of City Council's main priorities. In addition, he has experience working in a community that has a strong educational background, Stillwater, Oklahoma."

In November, City Manager Greg Burris announced he will be stepping down after 10 years of working for the city. Burris's last day will be June 30.

After his resignation, Burris might be selected to lead a city program called Give 5, which aims to connect retirees with volunteering opportunities in the community.

Gage's first day will be Aug. 1. McClure said the city will announce an interim city manager to serve from July 1 to July 31.

Springfield spent more than $35,600 on the city manager search, according to city spokeswoman Cora Scott. She said the bulk of the expenses went to a consulting firm that helped recruit and screen candidates.

Gage: Southwest Missouri roots, with city manager experience in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri

Gage has served as Salina city manager for 13 years. Before that, he was the city manager of Stillwater, Oklahoma and De Soto, Missouri. He had also served as the assistant city manager of Salina.

Gage graduated from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received a master's degree in public administration from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Salina has 480 employees and an annual budget of $137 million, serving a city of 49,000 residents.

As Salina's city manager, Gage oversaw a $155 million redevelopment project to renew Salina's downtown. The project included a partnership with the local business community to develop an athletic tournament fieldhouse, a hotel and conference facility, a vintage automotive museum, a family entertainment venue, downtown loft and apartment housing and niche retail and restaurant development.

Gage told the News-Leader he is married and has four kids and two stepdaughters. He likes to get up early in the morning to play basketball.

Despite having lived in Kansas for many years, Gage said he's "definitely a Mizzou fan over KU."

Gage said he enjoys camping and reading in his free time.

A book he would recommend is "Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy because "it provides various examples of politicians who had to take a courageous stance."

Gage said he wants people to know that he's "very approachable."

"So if I see someone on the street and they want to say 'Hi,' they should expect me to say 'Hi' back and wave," Gage said.

Other finalist extended contract with Utah city prior to Springfield visit

Two finalists were publicly identified by the city of Springfield on May 16. The other candidate was Wayne T. Pyle, the city manager of a suburb of Salt Lake City.

Both finalists flew into Springfield that following weekend to meet city leaders, community members and reporters face-to-face. They also toured Springfield and participated in final interviews with City Council.

On May 15, days before Pyle came to Springfield, West Valley City officials voted to extend his "employment agreement."

The agreement obligates Pyle to remain with West Valley City for a term of five years, with up to four more extensions in the same term, meeting minutes from West Valley City Council show.

"The City Manager is being recruited by a major metropolitan city in Missouri. The City Manager has expressed his desire to remain in West Valley City without any additional compensation or benefits from what he currently receives," the minutes say.