Kent Mayor Dana Ralph promoted Pat Fitzpatrick to be the new chief administrative officer and Tammy White the new city attorney.

Fitzpatrick has been working as the interim CAO since Derek Matheson resigned in March to become the Fife city manager. White became the acting city attorney when Fitzpatrick became the interim CAO.

“Both Pat and Tammy graciously stepped into these roles and navigated their new responsibilities remarkably,” Ralph said in an Aug. 18 media release. “They are talented, dependable and have demonstrated a strong commitment to the city and our residents. I am so excited to officially promote them into these permanent positions.”

When Ralph became mayor in 2018 she promoted Fitzpatrick to city attorney from deputy city attorney to replace the retiring Tom Brubaker. Fitzpatrick had been the deputy city attorney since 2002. He previously worked for Kent as chief prosecutor, civil attorney and interim human resources director.

Fitzpatrick holds a degree in public administration from San Diego State University and a law degree from Seattle University.

“I look forward to continuing my work with this highly skilled and dedicated team of city leaders and employees who work tirelessly to serve the Kent community,” Fitzpatrick said.

According to a job opening posting for the CAO position, under the mayor’s direction, the CAO is responsible for the efficient administration of city government through effective management of its human, financial and material resources. This includes working with the mayor and City Council to develop short- and long-range goals and objectives; strategizing with the mayor on legislative priorities at the state and national levels; and directing the city’s biennial budget under the mayor’s guidance to ensure financial soundness to meet core service needs and objectives.

The city advertised the position and hired an executive recruiting firm, Texas-based Strategic Government Resources (SGR), for the CAO recruitment at a cost of $26,400 plus expenses, according to an email from city Human Resources Director Teri Smith.

Seventeen people applied for the position and three were selected for interviews by the city’s Executive Leadership Team, Smith said. Two candidates withdrew before their interviews. One outside candidate found through the search was interviewed before Ralph decided to pick Fitzpatrick.

White, who was promoted in 2018 to deputy city attorney, has worked in both the prosecution and civil divisions of the City Attorney’s Office. She previously held the positions of paralegal, prosecutor and civil attorney with the city of Kent.

White earned her bachelor’s degree in law and justice from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and her law degree from Seattle University.

“Pat and Tammy have already contributed so much to the city, and I am eager to continue working with them as we deliver the high quality of public service our residents expect,” Ralph said.

The city’s media release did not state the annual pay for Fitzpatrick and White. The city’s advertisement for the CAO position listed the pay between $157,212 and $226,236 per year based on experience and qualifications. The city attorney pay range is between $131,801 and $206,404, according to the city communications office.

The Kent Reporter has filed a public records request with the city to find out the actual annual pay for Fitzpatrick and White.