Pugh resigns as Slippery Rock manager
Shawn Pugh came to manage Slippery Rock borough in 2020 after 20 years of experience working in criminal justice for Butler County. In late-September, he will once again be working out of the Butler County office as county director of procurement.
On Aug. 19, Pugh submitted his resignation which is effective Sept. 23, and the borough kicked off its search for a new manager to take his place.
Pugh said Thursday that after working for Slippery Rock for more than two years, he has accomplished several projects he is proud of and decided it was a good time to transition back to county government work.
“I also think we have built upon and improved relationships with all outside entities here in the borough; I'm very proud of that,” Pugh said. “The opportunity came up with the county, and I thought it was a good time for me to exit. We got a lot of things done here we wanted to accomplish. I thought it was time to start fresh.”
Slippery Rock put out a call Thursday for applications to fill the borough manager position, with cover letters and resumes for the job due Sept. 16.
Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo said Thursday that prior to Pugh, the borough had a borough administrator, but the manager position took on a few more responsibilities. The manager serves as chief administrative officer for the borough, supervises the other 11 employees, acts as sole purchasing agent, maintains the website and searches out grants available to the borough, among other duties.
Longo said Pugh’s background in county government made him an ideal candidate for the borough manager position.
“We were looking to hire a manager ... who had credentials and experience to provide and perform higher level function,” Longo said. “We saw great value of someone who came from the county who would bring that network to our office.”
The borough is in search of candidates who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, economics or a related field. Longo also said the council would like to have a new borough manager start by October. He also said it is not required for employees to live within Slippery Rock’s borders to be employed at the borough.
The borough is advertising an annual salary of $60,000 to $80,000 for the position, and Longo said the council will determine the pay rate through negotiations with a candidate.
He also said council will deliberate on candidates for the position once the application deadline arrives.
“After collecting all of the resumes and applications by the 16th, we'll take time to deliberate and decide on who it is to earn an interview,” he said. “There is a possibility that the next manager we hire would be under contract, but that has yet to be decided on.”
Although he entered the position without a background in municipal government, Pugh said he is proud of the collaboration he was able to achieve with people inside and outside Slippery Rock. He also referenced stormwater mitigation projects, the construction of the borough office’s front porch and the building’s new security system as other accomplishments on the job.
Each of those physical projects, Pugh said, involved being responsible with taxpayer dollars.
“I'm most proud of being fiscally responsible with the borough taxpayer money,” Pugh said. “I view our position as stewards and I want to make sure that we are spending money responsibly.”
Pugh said even if his replacement starts after his resignation date, he will try to be available to help smooth out the transition.
Longo applauded Pugh’s work with the borough.
“We thank him for all his dedicated service to the borough; we wish him well in the next chapter,” Longo said.
More information about the borough manager position is available on Slippery Rock’s website. Applications can be mailed to Slippery Rock Borough, 306 E. Water St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057.
