COEUR d’ALENE — Mayor Dan Gookin announced Tuesday his intention to appoint former Post Falls mayor Ron Jacobson to the position of interim city administrator. 

Gookin will present Jacobson’s contract, proposed to end by July, to the Coeur d’Alene City Council during next Tuesday’s regular meeting. 

“Having a seasoned former mayor in this interim role reinforces public confidence and keeps critical projects moving forward,” he said in a news release. 

Gookin said he’s confident the City Council will approve Jacobson’s contract. 

“I want to make sure, if something goes forward, it’s going to have a lot of support,” he said Tuesday. “I’m hoping it’s unanimous. I think he has great support.” 

The role will pay $14,500 per month, with no medical or PERSI benefits. Gookin said the salary saves $3,580 per month.

Current City Administrator Troy Tymesen is set to retire Feb. 20, after 25 years with the city. Jacobson will begin in the interim role Feb. 17. The overlap will allow for a hands-on transition of administrative responsibilities. 

Jacobson praised Tymesen’s long service to Coeur d’Alene. 

“I’m not going in there to replace Troy or change things,” he said. “I’m going in with no dog in the fight and no ax to grind. I’m there to make sure things continue to operate efficiently and if I can improve any efficiencies, that’s what I’ll do.” 

Jacobson said he carefully considered whether to accept the interim position, especially after recently ending his long political career in Post Falls. 

Jacobson served on the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1991 to 1999, followed by three terms on the City Council and three more as mayor. In November, he lost his bid for a fourth mayoral term. 

“Last Tuesday night was the first third Tuesday of the month in 27 years that I didn’t have a meeting,” he told The Press. “I’ll be back in meetings twice a month. Is that something I really want to do?” 

The answer, he concluded, was yes. 

“It’s an interesting opportunity,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.” 

Gookin said it’s important to him that an outside hire step into the interim role, rather than an internal candidate. 

“I really think we need a new direction in City Hall,” he said. “We need some fresh ideas and new faces. That’s the direction I took.” 

Though Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls are different cities with different challenges, Gookin said he believes Jacobson’s experience in government, management and finance makes him a great fit for the administrator role. 

“I think we’re very blessed because he’s an active part of the community,” he said. “He’s been active in government for over 20 years. He knows how a city runs.” 

It’s a time of transition for the city of Coeur d’Alene, with two dozen longtime employees planning to retire or having already retired this year, including Tymesen, Fire Chief Tom Greif, and Police Chief Lee White. 

Gookin said he hopes Jacobson will help lay the groundwork for a new and permanent city administrator to “take the reins” of a city with 60,000 residents, more than 400 employees and a $151 million budget. 

“We just can’t keep pretending that we’re still that little town,” Gookin said. “We’re not. We’re growing and we need to pay attention to those needs.” 

    Gookin