BY EILEEN PERSIKE
Editor

Daniel Guild

The public will have the chance to meet the new Rhinelander city administrator next week. Daniel Guild accepted the job offer Sept. 12, after the city council voted 6-1, with two abstentions, to hire the Ashland native Monday night. A public meet-and-greet is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Rhinelander City Hall.

Guild has worked for federal, state and local governments over the past 20 years. For the past 11 years he had worked as a village administrator for three municipalities, most recently in Weston. In a written statement, Guild said he is looking forward to getting to know the city’s elected officials and staff.

“A city administrator wears several different hats,” said Guild. “They are fulltime senior advisors to part-time elected officials. Administrators are the chief personnel officer for the local government agency. After the onset of the Great Recession following last decade’s housing boom, administrators need to have a strong skill set in economic development. Finally, with the ongoing changes with how local governments are financed by the state of Wisconsin, you need to have a strong skill set in budgeting and municipal finance.”

Negotiations with Guild were handled by the firm GOVHR. The contract includes detailed requirements to be met, and will pay Guild $95,000.

Former interim administrator Keith Kost resigned in April.