Bainbridge Island City Council approves John Mauro as city manager; Sept. 8 start

Bainbridge Island’s City Council approved an employment agreement for city manager finalist John Mauro on July 14, and the City says Mauro signed the contract on July 17. The City has scheduled Mauro’s start date for September 8, 2026.

July 14 vote, contract signed July 17; Sept. 8 is the start date

In a July 17 City news release, Bainbridge Island says the Council approved the agreement at its July 14 Regular Business Meeting. The release adds that Mauro signed the contract on July 17 and will begin serving the Bainbridge Island community on September 8, 2026.

The City also notes that Interim City Manager Ellen Schroer has served in the interim role since March 2026, after previous City Manager Blair King retired.

Background: a Council-led search, with public input and a continuing finalist

The City’s About the City Manager Search page describes the recruitment as Council-led in Bainbridge Island’s council-manager form of government, with the City Council directing the recruitment and hiring process and a contract with Raftelis for support.

The City’s update says residents and City staff shared input through an online survey that ran from March 5 through March 20, and that the recruitment moved through multiple phases including candidate reviews and interviews.

That same update says the City Council’s interviews were concluded and that finalist Jeff Niten withdrew from the process, with the search continuing with the remaining finalist, John Mauro.

What some councilmembers and residents said at the July 14 meeting

Bainbridge Island Review reported that the Council approved the agreement 5–2, with Councilmember Mike Nelson and Deputy Mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos voting no.

In that reporting, Nelson said he was concerned the process deprived the Council of “meaningful choice,” pointing to candidate withdrawals that narrowed the field as finalists emerged.

The Review also reported that Hytopoulos opposed what she described as an “excessive” package.

Finally, the Review reported Mauro’s annual base salary as $265,000. It also described public comment from residents expressing concerns about the employment package and salary.

What to watch next

With a September 8, 2026 start date set, residents can use the City’s search update as a roadmap for how the selection process concluded—and what comes next as the City moves from an interim manager to its permanent city manager.

Sources

• City of Bainbridge Island NewsFlash (July 17, 2026): City Manager agreement update for John Mauro
• Bainbridge Island Review: Council considers/approves Mauro as next city manager (context around the July 14 vote)