Police Chief hired as city manager

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- Police Chief Steve Brown is switching hats in Bartlesville. The City Council has hired him as its new city manager. <br><br>Brown replaces former City Manager Richard Gertson,

Wednesday, March 8th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- Police Chief Steve Brown is switching hats in Bartlesville. The City Council has hired him as its new city manager.

Brown replaces former City Manager Richard Gertson, who resigned in December at the city's request. Brown has been interim city manager.

The council selected Brown although he hasn't had previous experience as a city manager and doesn't have an educational background in municipal administration. Mayor Ron Nikkel said Brown's experience with city issues and his familiarity with the city outweighed the need for a municipal-related degree.

"The real pluses weighed into our decision," Nikkel said. "There was the fantastic job he did as an interim. There were somethings that were kind of problematic for us and he stepped right in and took care of them."

The council also took into consideration that the Police Department budget he managed was the largest in the city. The council will pay Brown $77,000 a year with the chance for a 5 percent raise within six months.