The Stayton City Council has chosen Julia Hajduk as its new city manager following long deliberations during a special meeting in April.
Hajduk is scheduled to begin June 15, taking the reins from City Manager Pro-Tem Alissa Angelo, who will return to her role as assistant city manager.
Hajduk is currently the community development director for the City of Sherwood, and has also served as associate planner for the City of Tigard, planner for the City of Springfield and economic development assistant for Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments.
The council was unanimous in its decision to offer Hajduk the role during its April 29 meeting, following four hours of deliberation.
Stayton City Council President David Patty said deliberations took so long because each candidate was well-qualified and had received support from residents and community stakeholders.
“All these candidates are just terrific,” he said. “I think all of them are great, so this decision was very difficult for all of us to reach.”
Hajduk managed to stand out. “In the end, we made the best choice for the city,” Councilor Ben McDonald said.
Stayton had been searching for a new city manager since September 2021, after then-City Manager Keith Campbell accepted the same role at the City of Sherwood. The council announced the finalists April 14, and held a community reception for residents to meet each candidate and provide feedback.
Patty said this input played a pivotal role in the council’s deliberations and he was grateful for the many people who weighed in.
