New assistant city manager has experience in economic development

MONTROSE — A former city administrator and Brigham Young graduate, Scott Sellers, has been hired as the city of Montrose’s new assistant city manager.

Sellers, who officially began his duties on Aug. 26, was formally introduced Thursday before the city council.

He graduated from Brigham Young University in 2006 with a master’s degree in public administration—city management. Sellers served as assistant city manager for the City of Centralia, Ill. before coming to Montrose, according to a city news release.

His accomplishments include helping to create the Centralia Opportunity Fund, an economic development tool for downtown business development and job creation and retention, the city noted. This effort earned the International City/County Management Association’s Community Sustainability Award.

Sellers said he plans to use this experience to further develop the downtown area. Specifically, he said Montrose may benefit from the creation of a business improvement district, something he helped create for the city of Payson, UT.

“Montrose has so many progressive programs that it was working on that I really wanted to work on,” said Sellers. He was also attracted to the area’s small-town, mountain setting.

City Manager Mary Watt said Sellers has already shown himself to be an asset. He will aid in efforts to revitalize downtown, which is a goal of the council, she said.

Sellers’ considerable experience with downtown redevelopment and community issues, and his savvy on budget issues, distinguished him from other candidates, said Watt. Additionally, he has extensive experience communicating with citizens’ groups, city council and news media.

Sellers was selected from a group of more than 100 applicants and a pool of highly qualified finalists for the position, according to the release.

The assistant city manager’s general duties include assisting with larger community projects and working on strategic planning with department heads.

Elsa Anderson, who had served as assistant city manager since 2004, will now serve as the city’s director of human resources and will oversee the city’s new risk management program.