The Park City Council meets Thursday, under the new leadership of interim City Manager Matt Dias.
After Park City Manager Diane Foster’s recent separation from Park City Municipal Corporation, the city council named Assistant City Manager Matt Dias interim city manager. Dias is excited about the opportunity, but he says Foster’s departure is bittersweet.
“I was actually on the phone with her last evening, and we were just reminiscing," Dias said. "She has obviously been a wonderful mentor to me and a wonderful person to work with, and I've really enjoyed our relationship, and so just nothing but respect for her intellect and her integrity and her leadership over the last seven and a half years.”
Park City Mayor Andy Beerman told KPCW Foster and Dias’ management styles are different. Dias wouldn’t speak to Foster’s approach, but he says when situations get hectic, he tends to focus on the basics of financial management and project management. He believes his previous experience as a congressional aide in Washington D.C.; as chief-of-staff for a large municipality in the Boston area; and as assistant city manager lends itself well to what’s on Park City’s horizon.
“Now that we're in the implementation phase of critical priorities, in terms of housing and transportation and spending a large, large amount of taxpayer money and resources and time, I hope that that style lends itself well to furthering our goals," Dias said. "I think I have high expectations, and I have a wonderful team behind me, from front-level staff to managers, but I also have a high level and trust in the people that I work with.”
Beerman says the city will not conduct an external search, and Dias isn’t sure if the council will open the position up to other internal applicants. For the time being, Dias is on a probationary period as interim city manager. The council will decide whether to bring Dias on permanently in the role.
“In the event that I'm considered, I intend to make the most of that opportunity," Dias said. "I'm very, very excited about it. I'm very grateful—I'm lucky to have a wonderful team around me and a lot of support.”
Dias says Foster will help him transition into the position for the next few weeks. Foster hired Dias as assistant city manager in July 2013, a position she vacated when she became city manager.
