Festus City Administrator Greg Camp has accepted a job as town manager of Silverthorne, Colo.
A written statement issued today, Jan. 15, by the city of Festus stated Camp’s last day as Festus city administrator will be Feb. 20. He has been the Festus city administrator since 2017.
“This was not an easy decision,” said Camp, who currently lives in the Festus area. “Kristie (his wife) and I have long dreamed of living in the Colorado mountains, and Silverthorne offers both a professional opportunity and the kind of community we’ve envisioned calling home. At the same time, Fesus has been an incredibly special place to us. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together, and I will always carry this city with me.”
In a phone interview, Festus Mayor Sam Richards praised Camp for his service.
“He has been the best city administrator the city has ever had,” Richards said, “because of his professionalism, the way he has dealt with the public.”
As Festus city administrator, Camp is paid an annual salary of $163,707 and a $350 monthly car allowance. He will receive an annual salary of $260,000 and a $350 monthly car allowance as town manager of Silverthorne, according to information on the Silverthorne website.
Richards said Festus will begin advertising for Camp’s successor immediately.
“What we’re going to do, we’re going to put notices in papers (tomorrow, Jan. 19),” he said. “We’ll close applications Jan. 30. We want to have someone in place in order to have a one- or two-week turnover working with Greg.”
Camp is leaving Festus in the midst of a public controversy over a proposed data center development coming to town. CRG of St. Louis plans to develop a data center on property north of Hwy. 67 and west of Hwy. CC in town.
When asked if Camp’s departure will affect the project in any way, Richards declined to say.
“I cannot comment on anything about the data center on the advice of our city attorney because of litigation,” Richards said.
Jesse Cordova, a candidate for a Ward 3 City Council seat, filed a civil lawsuit against the city, Richards, Camp and all current members of the City Council seeking declarative and injunctive relief for violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law.