Springfield city manager named a finalist for position search in Kansas

After serving as Springfield's City Manager for six years, Jason Gage has surfaced as one of four finalists for a city manager role in Manhattan, Kansas.

Gage was hired in 2018 after working in Salina, Kansas, for 18 years also as city manager. When he was hired, he made $220,000, but the most recent amendment, fourth of its kind, to his employment agreement put his salary at $267,644.52 in September.

"Springfield is a terrific community and the city organization has been very good to me," Gage told the News-Leader via text. "If selected for the Manhattan position, there is much I would miss about Springfield. Manhattan is also a vibrant town and the possibility of being closer to family is very appealing."

According to a city of Manhattan news release, the four finalists were selected from a field of 50 applicants. Gage has the most experience from the four in local government. The city is holding in-person interviews and community engagement events July 22-23.

During Gage's tenure, the city has experienced a turnover in leadership both from resignations and retirements. Within the past three years, city has seen resignations from leaders of Workforce Development, Building Development Services and Planning and Development and has also dealt with long-time employees retiring from City Attorney and director of Planning and Development and Springfield-Greene County Health Department positions.

The city has also embarked on a number of infrastructure projects during this time, include the Grant Avenue Parkway and Jefferson Avenue Streetscape projects. The city has also laid the groundwork for daylighting Jordan Creek and reopening the historic Jefferson Avenue footbridge.

Assistant Director of Public Information Melissa Haase said the city did not have comment on Gage being a candidate for the position in Kansas.

Known as the "Little Apple," Manhattan is located in the northeast of the state roughly 60 miles west of Topeka and home to Kansas State University. According to the Decennial Census data, Manhattan has a population of approximately 54,000 in comparison to Springfield's 169,000.

Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at [email protected].