Prior Lake City Council approves new city manager contract, renames Lakefront Pavilion

Prior Lake American

Michael Plante is officially hired as Prior Lake’s next city manager official after the City Council approved an employment agreement with him Monday.

Plante, who was announced as the next city manager the first week of December, will fill the position vacated when Frank Boyles retires in March.

“It’s an exciting new chapter for the city,” Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs said after the vote.

Per the agreement, Plante will receive an annual salary of $140,000 as well as a $450 per month car allowance. The agreement also includes a reimbursement of up to $10,000 if Plante decides to relocate to Prior Lake.

Boyles receives a base annual salary of almost $136,000 with an additional $22,500 in longevity pay. Boyles has been in the position of city manager for more than 25 years.

Plante will begin Feb. 7. He currently works as the county administrator for Wabasha County.

“I’m really excited and honored to be selected to be the next city manager,” Plante previously said. “I’ve had my eye on Prior Lake as a community for a long period of time. I’m just really excited to be able to move into the community, integrate into the community and work for such a visionary council.”

Plante and two other final candidates went through an open house on Nov. 5 and interviews with the council on Nov. 6 for the position. Briggs said what set Plante apart during the process was his collaborative work at the county.

“He, within his own county organization, brought together different departments to increase service level for the citizenry as to deliver more value to the taxpayers,” Briggs said. “Collaboration all focused around higher levels of service and reducing burden on the taxpayers. That exemplified exactly what we were searching for in Prior Lake.”

Plante has worked at Wabasha County since 2010. He has a law degree from Hamline University and a bachelor’s from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Prior Lake City Council also approved renaming Lakefront Pavilion after outgoing city manager Boyles in recognition of his time at the city, changing the name to the Francis F. Boyles III Pavilion.

Councilmember Mike McGuire added the item to the agenda and introduced the motion.

“Because of his involvement in Lakefront Park and in the community for 26 years, I think it would be appropriate to rename the Lakefront Park Pavilion, which is a real centerpiece in our community, after Frank,” McGuire said.

The new name was unanimously approved by the council.

“Twenty-six years of service, I think, definitely deserves recognition,” Councilmember Annette Thompson said. “I think the pavilion is a great idea.”