Despite some pushback, BI Council approves Mauro as next city manager

Published 1:30 am Monday, July 13, 2026

The Bainbridge Island City Council approved an employment agreement with John Mauro to be the new city manager at its July 14 meeting. He is scheduled to start his tenure in early September, a city news release says.

Mauro has served as Port Townsend’s city manager since 2019. Prior to this role, he served as chief sustainability officer for Auckland Council in New Zealand, where he led economic, social, and environmental sustainability initiatives for an organization of approximately 9,000 staff and a community of approximately 1.5 million people, COBI’s website says. Prior to his time in New Zealand, he was a policy analyst in the Seattle Mayor’s Office. Mauro holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Conservation Biology from Middlebury College.

City Council approved the agreement 5-2, with Councilmember Mike Nelson and Deputy Mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos voting no. Mauro’s annual base salary will be $265,000.

“I really struggled with this vote,” said Nelson at the July 14 meeting. “I wanted to support who won this process, but I remain concerned that the process itself has deprived this council of meaningful choice. I am worried it’s giving the public a perception that Mr. Mauro has won by default. We had whittled the 33 candidates down to eight viable candidates; out of those eight, 75% withdrew. We chose four that were potential finalists. Out of those four, 75% of them withdrew, and we were left with one candidate. The reason we are all up here is to represent the community and to listen to the people of Bainbridge Island. All I am hearing is that the community does not support this candidate. I need to listen to the people on this one.”

Hytopoulos shared a similar sentiment. “I do not feel this person is the right person for the position, and I am not in support of the package that has been proposed. This package is excessive,” she said.

Jeff Niten, one of two finalists along with Mauro, previously withdrew from consideration June 26 and decided to remain in his current position as Mountlake Terrace city manager. The search for a new BI city manager began in December when over 30 candidates initially applied after previous city manager Blair King announced he would be retiring. Ellen Schroer has served as interim city manager since Jan. 30 following King’s departure.

A handful of councilmembers emphasized that Mauro had already been in either the first or second standing of preference as a city manager finalist. “It wasn’t that he was the last one standing,” said Councilmember Ashley Mathews. “We all had time to do a lot of research. We really need to trust this.”

Councilmember Leslie Schneider shared a similar perspective. “John Mauro was my first choice from the get-go. I look forward to that process. I think he is going to be great for Bainbridge Island.”

There were also a number of Bainbridge Island residents at the July 14 meeting who spoke during public comment regarding their concerns with Mauro.

“Mauro comes to us with an immense amount of baggage and outrageous salary requirements. He is a divider, not a uniter, and we desperately need a uniter at this time in our history. Based on his track record, I would never hire him. Do not hire this troubled candidate; you will be sorry,” said Ellen Lockert.

“In good conscience, I don’t think you can advance John Mauro,” said Christine Quinn. “You have seen his record, and the risk is not acceptable. So please stop this. You are elected to do what is best for Bainbridge Island, and this is not what is best.”

COBI operates under a council-manager form of government, meaning the city council selects and hires the city manager. The city manager reports directly to the city council. City staff reports to the city manager, per COBI’s website.