UPDATED: Salem City Council appoints Krishna Namburi as interim city manager

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Salem city councilors voted unanimously to appoint acting Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi as the city’s interim manager Monday in an effort to bring a steady hand to city leadership as a tumultuous budget cycle looms.

The decision means the city won’t immediately begin a search for a new city manager, delaying that process until at least September.

Namburi stepped up as acting city manager last month when former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley abruptly resigned after he was led to believe that Mayor Julie Hoy and the majority of the city council supported his ouster. Namburi was previously a deputy city manager overseeing departments within the city including human resources, information technology, customer service and risk services, and has worked for the city for 25 years.

Stahley’s departure came at a particularly delicate time as the city faces a nearly $14 million budgetary shortfall, and is preparing to appeal to Salem voters to approve a property tax increase in May to help pay for city services that are otherwise on the chopping block. 

The motion to appoint Namburi was brought Monday by Councilor Vanessa Nordyke.

“Namburi is nothing short of an outstanding individual and I can think of no better person to serve us in this time of transition,” Nordyke said at the Monday council meeting. “When it comes to appointing someone to serve us during this crucial next series of months we need someone who is driven, who knows the city inside and out, who has the respect of council and the city staff, and that is Ms. Namburi.” 

Nordyke said Monday that given the severity of the city’s budgetary deficit, preserving staff morale is of the utmost importance. 

“It is really important that we have someone that our staff already know and trust,” Nordyke said.

Nordyke said in her motion that Namburi should be given sufficient time to serve in the interim role so she can guide the city through the tough budgetary decisions ahead. Stahley was instrumental in drafting a budget and was due to submit one next month.  

“When Keith Stahley abruptly resigned, Krishna Namburi stepped up. She has served admirably and tirelessly as our acting city manager,” Nordyke wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. “With our budgetary cycle coming up between April and June, and the livability levy on the ballot in May, now is not the time to launch a nationwide search for another city manager. Running the second largest city in Oregon is a huge job. We need someone who already knows our city and can see us through this time of growing demand for city services.”

In her motion, Nordyke pointed out that Namburi has successfully overseen several departments within the city.

“No one is more qualified,” Nordyke said of Namburi in her Facebook post. “I know her and I trust her.”

During Monday’s meeting Namburi clarified that during her time as the interim city manager she will continue being paid at her current rate, ensuring no additional cost to the city during the interim period. 

Following the vote Mayor Julie Hoy stood up and installed a pair of new plaque’s with Namburi’s name and title on them at the council chamber desk designated for the city manager.  

Other items

• Councilors voted unanimously to authorize an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Salem and the State of Oregon to allow the Oregon Legislative Assembly to use a portion of State Street for a period of 10 years in exchange for $2 million. According to a staff report from Public Works Director Brian Martin, the agreement would allow the Capitol to improve security safeguards, parking, and other services. 
• Councilors voted unanimously to charge aircraft for landing and parking at the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport, according to a staff report from Salem Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston. The proposed fees were first brought to the council during its Jan. 27 meeting, and airport staff estimate the fees will increase revenue by between $50,000 to $100,000 annually. 
• Councilors voted unanimously to advance the city legislative committee’s recommended state and federal policy agenda Monday, according to a memo from the committee. The legislative committee includes Hoy and councilors Irvin Brown, Deanna Gwyn, and Vanessa Nordyke.
• The city also unanimously approved a development and management plan for Fairview Park located at 2220 Strong Road S.E. according to a memo from Deputy City Manager Scott Archer. Some of the items listed as part of the plan include an amphitheater, play areas, a fenced dog park, a basketball court, community garden, and a market space that could potentially accommodate food carts among other amenities. The initial phase of the park development project is expected in 2027 at a cost of about $4.5 million. Funding will come from a combination of sources including system development charges, development district fees, and bond proceeds. The total estimated cost for the park development is nearly $19 million.

Original story published March 10, 2025 below:

Salem city councilors will consider appointing acting Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi as the city’s interim manager Monday in an effort to bring a steady hand to city leadership as a tumultuous budget cycle looms.

Namburi stepped up as acting city manager last month when former Salem City Manager Keith Stahley abruptly resigned after he was led to believe that Mayor Julie Hoy and the majority of the city council supported his ouster. Namburi was previously a deputy city manager overseeing departments within the city including human resources, information technology, customer service and risk services, and has worked for the city for 25 years.

Stahley’s departure came at a particularly delicate time as the city faces a nearly $14 million budgetary shortfall, and is preparing to appeal to Salem voters to approve a property tax increase in May to help pay for city services that are otherwise on the chopping block. 

The motion to appoint Namburi will be brought Monday by Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, and if accepted by council, would defer recruitment for a new city manager to replace Stahley until at least September, Nordyke said in her motion. 

Nordyke said in her motion that Namburi should be given sufficient time to serve in the interim role so she can guide the city through the tough budgetary decisions ahead. Stahley was instrumental in drafting a budget and was due to submit one next month.  

“When Keith Stahley abruptly resigned, Krishna Namburi stepped up. She has served admirably and tirelessly as our acting city manager,” Nordyke wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. “With our budgetary cycle coming up between April and June, and the livability levy on the ballot in May, now is not the time to launch a nationwide search for another city manager. Running the second largest city in Oregon is a huge job. We need someone who already knows our city and can see us through this time of growing demand for city services.”

In her motion, Nordyke pointed out that Namburi has successfully overseen several departments within the city.

“No one is more qualified,” Nordyke said of Namburi in her Facebook post. “I know her and I trust her.”

Other items

• Councilors will also vote on whether or not to authorize an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Salem and the State of Oregon to allow the Oregon Legislative Assembly to use a portion of State Street for a period of 10 years in exchange for $2 million. According to a staff report from Public Works Director Brian Martin, the agreement would allow the Capitol to improve security safeguards, parking, and other services. 
• Councilors will also consider charging aircraft for landing and parking at the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport, according to a staff report from Salem Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston. The proposed fees were first brought to the council during its Jan. 27 meeting, and airport staff estimate the fees will increase revenue by between $50,000 to $100,000 annually. 
• Councilors will vote on the city legislative committee’s recommended state and federal policy agenda Monday, according to a memo from the committee. The legislative committee includes Mayor Julie Hoy and councilors Irvin Brown, Deanna Gwyn, and Vanessa Nordyke.
• The city council will also consider approving a development and management plan for Fairview Park located at 2220 Strong Road S.E. according to a memo from Deputy City Manager Scott Archer. Some of the items listed as part of the plan include an amphitheater, play areas, a fenced dog park, a basketball court, community garden, and a market space that could potentially accommodate food carts among other amenities. The initial phase of the park development project is expected in 2027 at a cost of about $4.5 million. Funding will come from a combination of sources including system development charges, development district fees, and bond proceeds. The total estimated cost for the park development is nearly $19 million.

Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790. 

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