Council picks Smith as new City Manager
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 10 months AGO
Whitefish City Hall at the corner of East Second Street and Baker Avenue. (Heidi Desch file photo/Whitefish Pilot)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | December 3, 2019 1:35 PM
Whitefish City Council on Monday approved Dana Smith as the new City Manager.
Council unanimously approved an employment contract for Smith to fill the city’s top executive position.
Smith since September has been serving in the role of interim City Manager and prior to that was the Assistant City Manager and Finance Director for the city.
After signing her contract during the meeting, Smith thanked City Council and the city’s department directors for their support.
“I enjoy Whitefish and I love seeing this community grow,” she said. “And working together I see a bright future for us. It’s an honor to serve as the next City Manager.”
She joined the city in July 2014 as Finance Director, previously working as an auditor in the private sector. In August 2018, she was promoted to the dual role of Assistant City Manager and Finance Director.
Council began the search for a new city manager after former City Manager Adam Hammatt resigned from the position on Sept. 6, after serving more than two years in the job.
The position was opened in November to applicants within the city, and the interview committee recommended Smith for the position.
The base salary for the position is $140,000 per year.
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