DULUTH — The Zenith City will likely will need to dig a little deeper into its pockets to hire its next city administrator.
The Duluth City Council will be asked Monday to approve a contract for Matthew Staehling, who Mayor Roger Reinert has tapped to succeed outgoing interim City Administrator David Montgomery.
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Under the terms of a proposed contract, Staehling would pull down a $225,000 salary as Duluth’s latest city administrator, making him the highest-paid city employee in 2025. Last year, he earned $204,407, serving as St. Cloud’s city administrator. So, the move to Duluth could deliver just over a 10% pay bump for Staehling.
For comparison’s sake, as Duluth’s city administrator last year, Montgomery received roughly $50,000 less in pay than Staehling stands to make.
But Montgomery, who came out of retirement to help Reinert in his transition as a newly-elected mayor, said Staehling’s proposed compensation is very much in keeping with what other similar-sized cities in Minnesota offer their city administrators and city managers. If anything, he suggested it’s maybe on the low-side of the $227,000-to-$230,000 comparable pay range identified.
“That’s the market. And we talk about trying to get people as close to market as possible,” Montgomery said.
“We need to be competitive to attract talent if the city wants people running this organization who are bringing the best potential qualities and capabilities to its citizens,” he said, describing Staehling’s pay as “probably in the mid-range” of other Minnesota cities of around Duluth’s size.
Meanwhile, Montgomery portrayed Staehling as the clear standout of the approximately 25 people who applied for the position.
“We did our homework,” Reinert said, describing the research into what other cities offered.
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None of Duluth’s highest-paid employees earn over $200,000. Topping the payroll list are:
- Police Chief Mike Ceynowa at $180,240
- City Administrator David Montgomery at $173,979
- City Attorney Terri Lehr at $163,620
- Director of Public Works and Utilities Jim Benning at $163,620
Reinert’s pay doesn’t even crack six figures, as he stands to receive $97,500 in annual base compensation in 2025.
Duluth’s city administrator oversaw 844 employees as of the end of 2024 as well as additional part-time seasonal staff as needed. The following departments report to the city administrator:
- Property, parks and libraries
- Police
- Fire
- Public works and utilities
- Workforce development
- Planning and economic development
- Administrative services (human resources, IT, clerk’s office, etc.)
- Legislative and executive team
- City attorney’s office
- Finance
Reinert said he believes he selected the right person for the job. He noted that Staehling will bring almost 30 years of experience working for another regional center to the position in Duluth.
“I like to say I’m always hiring for the next mayor in these key positions,” Reinert said.
Montgomery said the job demands are complex and intense, watching over a nearly $500 million budget and remaining on call around the clock.
Staehling started working in St. Cloud’s legal department in 1996, rising to the role of city attorney and then city administrator in 2016, under Mayor Dave Kleis, who will leave the position after 20 years in office.
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“Duluth is really gaining a tremendous asset in Matt,” Kleis said in a written statement.
“I’ve had the good fortune of working with him my entire mayoral career,” said Kleis, who promoted Staehling twice. “He’s been a valuable partner to me and to the city of St. Cloud. He’ll be a valuable partner to Duluth, too, and I think he’ll benefit from and grow from the move to Duluth as well. I’m excited to see what he does there.”
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