Davenport’s interim City Administrator Mallory Merritt is leaving her position, City of Davenport officials announced in a news release today, July 12.
Ms. Merritt has served the city for 11 years, acting in various roles within the organization. Since last November, she has served as the interim city administrator after the departure of City Administrator Corri Spiegel, who received $1.6 million as part of a separation agreement with the city.
Ms. Spiegel left her position with the city because of “prolonged and documented instances of harassment by some elected officials,” according to information released by the City of Davenport in November.
Ms. Merritt will leave in mid-August, said Third Ward Alderwoman Marion Meginnis on Friday.
“I am very sorry to see Ms. Merritt leave the city. She has done a wonderful job of steadying the waters during recent staff and council transitions. I first got to know Ms. Merritt in 2017 when I served as vice chair of the Finance Committee. From then to now, I have been impressed with her professionalism, people skills, and responsiveness to council requests and needs. I wish her all the best,” Ms. Meginnis told the QCBJ on Friday in an email.
Ms. Meginnis added: “We are well into the search for our new city administrator with a target selection date in early September. Ms. Merritt will be with us through mid-August. I know Ms. Merritt will do her very best until her departure date to create a smooth transition for upcoming leadership. That’s just the kind of professional she is.”
As the interim city administrator, Ms. Merritt utilized her knowledge and skills to continue leading and directing city operations and services to meet council goals and objectives. While serving in this position, she brought continuity and a deep understanding of city operations, according to Friday’s news release from the city.
During her tenure, Ms. Merritt has managed and led the city’s $240 million budget, including progressively responsible involvement in 10 different budget cycles – all receiving the Government Finance Officer Association’s distinguished budget award. She also has managed numerous city-wide strategic initiatives including the implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act’s $40.9M allocation.
Ms. Merritt was originally hired through the International City/County Management Association’s prestigious Local Government Management Fellowship Program in 2013, according to information from the city.
“With Merritt’s resignation notice yesterday, I will collaborate with the city council in the very near term on the transition plan. Mrs. Merritt is an excellent leader, person, administrator, and CFO. Her talent level is outstanding. She will be missed, and I wish her the best,” Davenport Mayor Mike Matson said in the release.
Additionally, the city is continuing to progress in its search for a permanent city administrator with interviews tentatively scheduled for early September.
